District attorney reports strong delinquent‑tax collections and audits that recovered state aid

Robert Myers of the McCray Law Firm presented the district’s annual delinquent‑tax collection report and described the firm’s work collecting unpaid property taxes and filing audits to maximize state aid.

Myers said the district’s 2023 levy was about $9.6 million and that collections — when penalties and delinquent balances are included — exceeded that amount by about $75,000. He walked trustees through five‑year charts showing current‑collection percentages in the high‑90s to over 100% when penalties and added collections are counted, and said the firm collected $111,000 (roughly 39%) of the $283,000 turned over from the 2023 levy within two months of turnover to collections.

Myers also reported the firm filed 45 lawsuits during the last year (involving about 125 defendants on 71 properties) and obtained seven judgments that furthered collection efforts; he said most suits are resolved through payment and that staff work with taxpayers to arrange payment plans when appropriate. On audits, Myers said his office had recovered about $386,000 in additional state aid for the district over recent years by filing valuation audits with the Texas Comptroller’s office; he noted a 2021 audit produced an identified decrease in taxable value that is expected to generate additional state aid in the months following the meeting.

Asked about larger policy proposals to eliminate property taxes in favor of a higher sales tax, Myers called those ideas unrealistic, telling the board they were “pie in the sky” given the scale of dollars involved. Trustees thanked Myers for his years of service; Myers said he will retire from the firm at year‑end and that Nick Getche will continue as the district’s outside tax attorney.

Myers’ presentation was primarily an informational update; the board asked follow‑up questions but took no formal vote on the report.