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Brazoria County tax office: Manvel has about $180,000 in unpaid taxes through 2024; collections remain strong
Summary
A Brazoria County tax-collection representative told the Manvel City Council that the county has roughly $180,000 unpaid through the 2024 tax year but routinely collects more than 98% of the levy; staff outlined penalties, deferral rules and the county’s steps before litigation.
A Brazoria County tax-collection representative told the Manvel City Council on Feb. 2 that the county was holding about $180,000 of unpaid taxes for the city through the 2024 tax year, but said collection performance remains strong.
“Each and every year for many years, you’re collecting over 98% of the current levy,” the presenter said, noting that the county mails notices, makes thousands of phone calls and often contacts lienholders to recover unpaid amounts.
The presenter described how Texas law governs penalties and interest: taxpayers who missed the Feb. 1 no-penalty deadline now face a 6% penalty and 1% interest for the 2025 tax year, with additional monthly interest and penalties that can reach collection-penalty levels prescribed by statute. The speaker said collection penalties in the county can rise to 20%, though Manvel’s policy currently applies a 15% collection penalty.
Staff highlighted particular categories within the $180,000 figure, including about $80,000 in deferred accounts (primarily homestead deferrals for taxpayers 65 or older), a portion marked as “action pending” where staff seeks payment without filing suit, and accounts already in litigation. The presenter said the largest year in the current delinquent roll is 2024 and that more recent tax years are easier to collect.
Councilman Bonner pressed whether the increase in dollars reflects population growth or changes in payer behavior. The presenter attributed the rise in dollar amounts to growth in the tax base while emphasizing that the collection rate has remained at about 98%: “Where I would be concerned… would be if your current levy started dropping to 94, 93, or 92.”
The tax office reviewed enforcement steps that can lead to lawsuits and tax sales, described title-research and court costs added during litigation, and encouraged taxpayers to use the county’s online notices of tax sales. The presenter said staff typically initiates collection in July for personal property and in July for real-estate turnovers and conducts multiple dockets annually to pursue judgments and, if necessary, tax sale.
The council thanked the tax representative and said staff would follow up with finance on monthly reporting that tracks collections, penalties and interest.
