Editor,
I was horrified to see on the front page of the San Marcos Daily Record for Tuesday October 27 , 2020 under the title of County says Hays Parks Bond on November ballot will not affect tax rate." While it is true that the bond will not affect this year's tax rate because the tax rate has already been voted on and by law cannot be raised, it will almost certainly raise next year's effective tax rate which is the tax rate you and I pay. The effective tax rate is the tax rate multiplied by the valuation of the property being taxed. Therefore, the tax rate can decrease while the effective tax rate can increase depending on the valuation of the property. This is what has been happening in Hays County for the past number of years. Why won't "County Officials" tell you this? In my opinion, there could be a number of reasons. First of all, they want you to pass the "bond." Secondly, they don't want you to know that this bond will increase taxes. Dan Wegmiller, the county financial advisor, is quoted as saying "the bond is not likely to increase taxes." This is blatantly false and in my opinion deliberately deceptive. It is simple folks, how many of you would take out a loan with interest believing that your yearly payments would not increase? Under Wegmiller's scenario, on account of savings from refinancing existing debt and the potential increase in "taxpayer" in the coming years from new residents moving into the county , we will not see a tax rate increase. He also notes that debt could be issued over time. His scenario has a possibility of coming true if property valuations continue to rise, however, a greater amount of taxes must be paid by the citizens of Hays County under any scenario if this bond is passed. He believes that valuations will continue rising and the population of Hays County also will continue to rise. If I were a betting man I would agree with this likely scenario, however, there is no guarantee. It is obvious that commissioners court, the school districts, and the cities have not been lowering their tax rates enough to keep effective tax rates from skyrocketing .
Hays County is steadily piling up debt. All one must do is Google the web site "Hays County transparency" to find that the debt is well over half a billion dollars and if the debt is held to maturity with all interest paid on time, the debt will be well over $700 million.
I urge all residents of Hays County to take a long sober look at this bond proposal and consider all the ramifications of it's passage. Don't just trust the overpaid politicians and their henchman, after all, it is your money.
Dan Lyon
San Marcos
Editor,
I don't understand why these two people who are running for public office claim they represent the people of San Marcos and Hays County.
Ever since Lon Shell has been in the commissioner's court, there has been a lot of controversy. It has been well documented by the SMDR how people who want to speak out have been disrespected and insulted by this court. He has been against Mr. Becerra and Mr. Villalobos ever since they took office and I would not be a bit surprised if he wasn't the one who initiated these bogus investigations of the aforementioned by the state Attorney General — another Republican crook.
And Jane Hughson, who represents only her base surrounding Hopkins Street, which probably less than .5% of San Marcos, because we can't use "their" streets.
I have also noticed our police force running off charity workers (mostly black) at the Interstate 35/Highway 123 underpass. I wonder if they are going to do the same with the firefighters, mainly white, when they stand out there holding their boots asking for donations. Yes, our mayor is certainly for "all" the people of San Marcos.
Sincerely,
Ezekiel Enriquez Sr.
San Marcos
Dear Editor,
The ad that Carrie Isaac has been running in the Daily Record all week is false. It’s fake news and fear-mongering. It’s intended to anger and divide us, and it’s just plain wrong. SMCISD is not in “Robin Hood” recapture. That is blatantly untrue, ignorant, and deceptive.
SMCISD is not in recapture and the SMCISD school board has significantly cut our local property tax rate and increased teacher and staff pay. Carrie Isaac gets it all wrong.
One would hope that someone who says they want to represent us at the State Capitol would actually look at, not to mention understand, our current school budget. One would hope that someone who wants to decide how much teachers are paid would understand school budget cycles. One would hope that someone who wants to determine how much money schools get to educate our children would be familiar with the changes made to school finance in the last legislative session.
Apparently, Carrie Isaac knows and cares about San Marcos, our children, and Texas school funding just about as much as her husband did. Which is zero.
Our children deserve better.
Anne Halsey
San Marcos
Editor
The lack of character on the part of some persons at the poling place on the campus of Texas State is a sad expression of citizenship.
Four political signs out of hundreds were chosen to be stolen or destroyed. We feel that signs are an indication of “free speech” — a way of letting our choices and voices being heard. They certainly are not placed to cause trouble of any sort.
We are disappointed in the choice of some persons to lower the standard of conduct that will never be accepted as decent political involvement. Unfortunately, the behaviors of some of our national leadership leads to the belief that it is acceptable to turn a blind eye to the corruption of any kind.
We must look to the future with confidence in our voting systems. Duplicitous, pernicious behavior is unacceptable.
Frances Breihan
San Marcos
Editor,
San Marcos City Council proposed land purchase on Guadalupe Street. The Council has no business buying this land for $2.4 million. There is plenty of developable land now in San Marcos. In downtown there is old County Annex still vacant, First United Methodist Church has old Frost drive-thru space, and other land and buildings vacant. On Mill Street is nice new building. All we really have now in downtown is bars and bars and "orange cones". Yes, Target is back on N. Guadalupe in new high rise building but it's a little hard to get to. Reach out from old Ranch Road 12 at Wonder World Dr., there is lots of land down Wonder World Dr. to Hwy 123. Jim Wise, Randall Morris, WC Carson, Robert McDonald, and other realtors — lots of land — We need to rev up more activity. Our Chamber of Commerce, San Marcos Economic Development should get with Texas Governor's office (in Austin) office on business development, etc. and City of San Marcos to encourage "new" and existing business to come to healthy, happy San Marcos. We are sitting on a gold mine with Texas State University — new Engineering School and McCoy's Business School — to help set up and program all kinds of "your" new building programs. So come on to San Marcos. The city does not need to buy land on Guadalupe Street. That money could go a long way for business development. This 2.4 million would go a long way to encourage new business or existing business to modify their existing or to expand. Just look at Kyle, Buda, New Braunfels, and Seguin.
Thank you,
Ted Breihan
San Marcos
