TRAVIS COUNTY -- As wildfire victims look to rebuild, Travis County Commissioners are considering enacting a state statute that allows the appraisal district to reevaluate fire-damaged properties.
The plan is a special item on the court’s agenda Tuesday morning. Typically, tax rates are set Jan. 1. The state law, Statute Sec. 23.02, says that under a natural disaster, a governing body, in this case the Travis County Commissioners, may authorize the reappraisal of all property damaged in the natural disaster area.
A reappraisal would mean homeowners affected by the recent wildfires in Travis County, from Oak Hill to Steiner Ranch and Spicewood, wouldn't have to pay their taxes for the remainder of the year.
It’s a small break that could offer big help to those who lost everything.
“There are real problems out there that they're facing and they're not going away this week or next week,” said Commissioner Karen Huber. “If you've lost everything you've owned, it's not just your home. It's all your documentation; legal documents, everything that has to be put back together. That takes time and it takes money.”
Commissioner Huber supports the special item.
She must now work with fellow commissioners to determine who is eligible under this state statute, whether it is limited to those residents who lost their home, or extended to everyone who suffered property damage in the wildfires.
According to firefighters, flames destroyed or damaged at least 50 homes in Steiner Ranch. At least 20 are gone or need major repairs in Oak Hill.
Commissioners are expected to take a vote Tuesday on the issue. If approved, they would have to cover the cost of the reappraisals. Bastrop County officials say they are now considering similar measures.
