City officials are exploring ways to help hundreds of residents billed for delinquent city property taxes because Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD) was not notified at the time the land was annexed.
Mayor Eugene Escobar Jr. said the error was the city’s fault, and he called a public meeting for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in the Council Chambers of the Princeton Municipal Building.
Escobar has also sent letters to Gov. Greg Abbott and State Reps. Jeff Leach and Candy Noble to inquire whether the Texas Tax Code could be updated to help deal with such situations.
Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector told The Princeton Herald it appeared the annexed subdivisions included all or part of South Park Meadows, Quail Ridge Estates, Quail Ridge Townhomes, Lake Meadow Phase 1 and Lake Meadow Phase 2.
Grigg said he was looking into the statutes to see if there were any other remedies to help the taxpayers impacted by the issue. “My office will do anything we can within the law to assist the taxpayers like we do in all situations,” Grigg said.
“Cities have the power to reduce taxes by adopting exemptions or adopting a ceiling for those who qualify, or granting abatements that are often used to encourage commercial development,” he said. “In general, once the taxes are assessed, the law limits what can be done in the forgiving or waiving of fees.”
Grigg added that property taxes levied by the county, Collin College and Princeton Independent School District were previously billed and paid.