McAllen proposes property tax rate decrease

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On Thursday evening, the City of McAllen held one of its first workshops to discuss the city’s budget for the coming fiscal year.

One of the most significant items discussed was a proposed decrease on the property tax rate decrease.

McAllen City Manager Roy Rodriguez made the recommendation for the property tax reduction as he said it is much needed as people continue to face rising costs.

The proposed budget of $652 million aims to lower the property tax rate from $0.457285 per $100 valuation to $0.449989 per $100 valuation.

This will be the third consecutive year that the City of McAllen City Commission has lowered the property tax rate.

Rodriguez says the decrease is possible thanks to the city’s rapid recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

“When we recovered, year after year, we were seeing phenomenal increases in the economy, in construction and in sales tax revenue," Rodriguez said. "And, so if you're seeing that, then we have a duty to provide relief to the citizens.”

Rodriguez says this is needed as the value of property continues to grow.

“When you calculate what you pay for your home, the property tax rate dictates what that is, and for three years in a row, we have reduced it," he said. "And so while values grow, we're trying to reduce the tax rate so that there's no impact to the community.”

City of McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said that it is important to provide relief for taxpayers. He also believes the proposal would enhance the communities quality of life.

City Commissioner Tony Aguirre, from District 1, hopes the budget also includes room for new activities like aquatic centers in the area.

“Our continued growth in our parks, our continued growth in our hike and bike trails, and a continued growth and now we are going to be putting in some effort to try to bring tennis, paddleball, the pickleball, and a couple of other items we need to because our community is asking for," Aguirre said.

The presentation was the first of six planned budget workshops that will take place throughout the month of August. The remaining schedule is: Tuesday, Aug. 13, Wednesday, Aug. 14, Tuesday, Aug. 20, Wednesday, Aug. 21 and Tuesday, Aug. 27.

The workshops are open to the public and will also be held at Champion Lakes Golf Course.

The public hearing on the proposed tax rate will be at 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9 at the McAllen City Hall.