Do you ever wonder where all our tax money goes?

[Higgins909]

My family is being taken for a spin at about $10,000 a year in property taxes. Our little subdivision probably has over 200 houses. Lets say that's 2 million in property taxes. Where is it going? They did a bad job blacktopping the road a couple years ago. Didn't repaint the majority of the lines, crosswalks, stop bars, etc. The ones they did, they used the cheapest paint ever. Roads need tarring, potholes that are several years old. The signage is absolutely terrible. Even trying to navigate with GPS can be a nightmare. 130 Toll has complete chunks of road missing.

In my day to day life, I don't see where this money is going, I guess. I tried looking into DPS jobs a little while ago and they don't seem to make much money but Round Rock PD makes like 60k starting. Taxes are slowly pushing us out.

Thoughts?
Higgins909

 

[Aus_Schwaben]

My family is being taken for a spin at about $10,000 a year in property taxes. Our little subdivision probably has over 200 houses. Lets say that's 2 million in property taxes. Where is it going? They did a bad job blacktopping the road a couple years ago. Didn't repaint the majority of the lines, crosswalks, stop bars, etc. The ones they did, they used the cheapest paint ever. Roads need tarring, potholes that are several years old. The signage is absolutely terrible. Even trying to navigate with GPS can be a nightmare. 130 Toll has complete chunks of road missing.

In my day to day life, I don't see where this money is going, I guess. I tried looking into DPS jobs a little while ago and they don't seem to make much money but Round Rock PD makes like 60k starting. Taxes are slowly pushing us out.

Thoughts?
Higgins909

As you have noted, one can tell where it is NOT going - roads, other critical infrastructure, and law enforcement. And, once again, folks are bemoaning the lack of funding for schools despite record spending on them.

 

[toddnjoyce]

Go to your county CAD website, input the street address, and you’ll see exactly where it’s going.

Likely half or more is going to the ISD. The remainder is likely split amongst three or more other entities.

 

[Lead Belly]

Second schools. It starts with the board bringing in a new Superintendent- a real ringer: Fabulous credentials- why is Mr big-time here in our little town?

Then the growth projections- our little town needed 2 brand new High Schools @ $200+ million each, based on 'growth projections.' After all the contracts were done, gravy splashed around, Super retires to Florida with $360k annual pension.

Never needed that second beautiful school- of course, each had to have indoor 1/2 Olympic pool. 2nd brand-new school is vacant decade later, looking for buyer, District still maintaining the campus.

My taxes went from $3000 to $13,000 over 25 years. I now live in a van, down by the river.

 

[Moonpie]

I see it wasted on things like expensive city vehicles. The Fire Chief, the Fire Marshall, the Chief of Police, the Mayor, the Chief Bottle Washer, each get to drive around in a gleaming new 3/4ton 4x4 Suburban. This is bullshit. They should be driving an old police car or other much less expensive vehicles.
While my little town is mostly non corrupt they just spent millions re-doing the downtown area from open parking areas to uber green space narrow streets with esplanades. Now a bicycle jams traffic up. It sucks now.
Plus, now all those “green spaces” have to be kept landscaped. More costs.
They never stop adding new expenses. We have the prettiest fire stations you’ve ever seen.

 

[striker55]

HOA we live in takes about $600 a year per house, increase again this year. Noticed a nice billboard by the community pool announcing a new building to be constructed in place of the one already there. Really??

 

[Lonesome Dove]

My family is being taken for a spin at about $10,000 a year in property taxes. Our little subdivision probably has over 200 houses. Lets say that's 2 million in property taxes. Where is it going? They did a bad job blacktopping the road a couple years ago. Didn't repaint the majority of the lines, crosswalks, stop bars, etc. The ones they did, they used the cheapest paint ever. Roads need tarring, potholes that are several years old. The signage is absolutely terrible. Even trying to navigate with GPS can be a nightmare. 130 Toll has complete chunks of road missing.

In my day to day life, I don't see where this money is going, I guess. I tried looking into DPS jobs a little while ago and they don't seem to make much money but Round Rock PD makes like 60k starting. Taxes are slowly pushing us out.

Thoughts?
Higgins909

Move, just my thoughts.

 

[1911'S 4 Me]

Check the bank accounts of the office holders.

 

[Lead Belly]

Check the bank accounts of the office holders.

There was that lady in Illinois The population was 15,733:

Rita Crundwell, who embezzled nearly $54 million from Dixon, released from federal prison​

https://www.quarterhorsenews.com/2021/08/prominent-horse-breeder-released-early-from-prison/

 

[HD-Ghost]

There is so much graf in our country. The mayors of Houston and Albuquerque had books written about themselves, and tried to get the tax-payers to foot the bill. Turner got called out and rescinded.
There is a busted water main about 2 miles from the house. Been leaking billions of gallons over 2 months. I understand that there are about 150 of these in Houston at any given time.
So much waste to choose from.
"Socialism is great until you run out of other peoples' money!" M. Thatcher

 

[Higgins909]

Move, just my thoughts.

Where to?

 

[Sam7sf]

Probably to hookers and blow.

 

[gdr_11]

I see it wasted on things like expensive city vehicles. The Fire Chief, the Fire Marshall, the Chief of Police, the Mayor, the Chief Bottle Washer, each get to drive around in a gleaming new 3/4ton 4x4 Suburban. This is bullshit. They should be driving an old police car or other much less expensive vehicles.
While my little town is mostly non corrupt they just spent millions re-doing the downtown area from open parking areas to uber green space narrow streets with esplanades. Now a bicycle jams traffic up. It sucks now.
Plus, now all those “green spaces” have to be kept landscaped. More costs.
They never stop adding new expenses. We have the prettiest fire stations you’ve ever seen.

This! The public agencies do not do squat on preventative or routine maintenance on anything because it is all disposable. The buy vehicles like we buy toilet paper and treat them about the same. The buildings and facilities are all "run to failure" because a $100K HVAC system is more easily replaced than putting in new filters every few months. There is a total lack of accountability for anything relating to life cycle management on any of the public agency capital assets

 

[Texan79423]

In my City they hope to make pot procession legal or not a punishable event. Now they say Police will not respond if there is a auto wreck unless someone is injured and needs medical attention. However, our City is supporting the Arts in a big way as our streets, mowing, and weed control are suffering as the City council is going woke.

 

[msharley]

Well....

Mssr. Cheney made off with a kool trillion....

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Where to?

Out of a community, city.
just for starters.