The Real Numbers of Property Tax Changes – 2% Change, Not 20% Change

Recently the Richardson Coalition was bragging about how good for homeowners the newest tax numbers are when compared to 2000. They have outdone themselves this time in their attempt to pull the wool over the people’s eyes. Not only has the swing not been a 20% decrease as they claim, it has actually been a 2% UP for residential property owners. 

 

(I think a bull something or other needs to be called on their claim)

So what would an accurate graph look like? Maybe something like this:

And the numbers to go with an accurate chart:

They make this claim: “This transformation is a result of the resolve of several city councils and steadfast management by our former and current city managers and city staff, as well as the Chamber of Commerce's Richardson Economic Development Program.”

And just what how our leaders done? Their graphic shows that in 2000 businesses paid just 40% of the total property tax and homeowners paid a whopping 60%. They claim there was a change in the ratio of 20%.

That just isn't true. Residential properties owners actually paid about 41.66% of the property taxes and business paid about 58.34% in 2000.

Fast forward to 2014 and residential property owners paid 43.65% of property tax revenue compared to business paying 56.35%. So just the opposite has happened since 2000. Home owners are paying about 2% more, and business is paying about 2% less.
 

The Richardson Coalition should think seriously about a new motto for their organization, “We never let the truth get in the way of a good lie.” That motto would seem in order for them. Or maybe they should just check their facts, the real ones.

As for the documentation, you can find it here: http://graphics.dc-tm.com/2000-2014-PropertyTaxPercentage.pdf