A recent survey of Dallas voters conducted by Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group on behalf of Mayor Eric Johnson found that 71% want lower property taxes for homes and businesses.
Lowering property taxes was deemed to have a “widespread appeal,” as almost three-quarters of respondents viewed it as a “very/fairly important” issue, according to the survey.
When the $4.5 billion City budget was adopted last year, City Manager T.C. Broadnax’s suggestion to lower property taxes was enacted — the most significant tax reduction the City has seen in decades. The property tax rate saw a $0.0275 decrease, going from $0.7733 to $0.7458 per $100 valuation.
Mayor Johnson has claimed this tax reduction has made Dallas an economically advantageous location. However, according to this poll, Dallas voters believe property taxes must be lowered further.
City officials have said that housing in Dallas must be made more accessible and more affordable, especially in light of the city’s rampant crisis of homelessness and vagrancy.
Lower property taxes translate to lower monthly payments, which could make it easier for some to qualify for a mortgage.
Charles E. Gilliland, a research economist at Texas A&M, wrote that property tax is “consistently” found to be “the most disliked tax.” Gilliland notes that taxpayers “remit a large sum all at once” rather than paying property taxes incrementally and that “payment must be made without regard to the property owner’s current financial condition.”
Another reason many support lower property taxes is that “many Texans approaching retirement worry that a rising property tax liability may force them from their homes,” according to Gilliland.
“In addition, property taxes take a large bite out of the net income of Texas commercial and industrial entities,” he writes.
However, even some who acknowledge the advantages of lower property taxes maintain that higher property taxes can have benefits as well.
The same Garin-Hart-Yang survey also found that one of the top concerns among Dallasites is education, and property taxes reportedly make up about half of the funds directed to public schools.
“The only way to really institute meaningful property tax reductions would either be to find some other revenue source or to substantially cut education budgets,” said Gilliland, per The Texas Tribune. “Neither one of those options is palatable in today’s political atmosphere.”
Local CPA and founder of Alicorn Investment Management Bill Dendy told The Dallas Express that the lack of a state income tax in Texas contributes to higher property taxes.
“Having lived in Dallas County for most of my adult life, our property taxes, and taxes in general, are high, but we don’t have the state income tax, so you gotta pick things one way or another,” said Dendy.
The survey found that other top concerns among local citizens are crime, public safety, and homelessness. In addition, more than 80% of Dallas voters support increasing salaries, benefits, and training for police officers.