Ordinance to improve local government transparency through the creation and publication of a taxpayer impact statement

This paper covers Texas’ municipal governments largely relying on property tax revenue to fund city services. It is often difcult for taxpayers to clearly understand how the city council’s proposed property tax rate, combined with changes in property tax values and other city fees, will affect their bill. Thus, this ordinance provides transparency by showing taxpayers how each of the city’s fees, appraisals, and property tax assessments change over time and for different segments of the community.