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Edcouch‑Elsa ISD’s delinquent tax report: firm says collections up while refunds rose after homestead exemption change
Summary
A law‑firm representative told the board Edcouch‑Elsa ISD collected roughly $32,000 more in delinquent taxes than the prior year while issuing more refunds after an expanded homestead exemption; the firm made fewer foreclosure filings and sold one property during the reporting year.
Michael Gano, standing in for his colleague Kelly Salasat of the district’s delinquent‑tax firm, presented the annual report covering July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Gano told trustees the firm collected about $32,000 more than in the prior year and completed only one tax sale in the period. He said the firm is emphasizing contact and payment agreements over litigation: the firm filed about 25 percent fewer lawsuits this year but still increased collections, which Gano attributed to more outreach (phone calls, office meetings and, in some cases, home visits).
The report also described a notable increase in refunds tied to a higher homestead exemption. Gano said refunds rose by roughly $268,000 because the appraisal district adjusted prior years for taxpayers who filed homestead exemptions when the exemption amount was increased; he said the state will reimburse about $168,000 but the timing means the district’s business office must reconcile the cash flow impact.
Gano explained the firm focuses on working with resident homestead taxpayers and uses foreclosure as a last resort, primarily on vacant or abandoned properties to assist community cleanup. He offered to answer trustees’ questions and said the office has finalized the district’s delinquent‑tax report and is ready to proceed with any follow‑up.
