Austin Business Inventory Tax: Public Outcry
- Austin city officials considered a new ordinance that would require businesses to file inventories of their physical property to support a tax reappraisal program.
- A large delegation of citizens and business representatives attended a public hearing to voice significant objections to the proposed rules.
- Concerns raised included the public nature of property inventories, the duration of business book inspections, the exclusion of stocks and bonds from assessment, and the high penalties proposed.
- Following the public discussion, the city agreed to revise the ordinance, including reducing the maximum penalty to $200 per month and limiting the time period for book inspections, before further review.
Full Transcript
1507 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Recessed Meeting July 31, 1947 8:00 P.M. Council Chamber, City Hall 1507 The meeting was called to order, with Mayor Miller presiding. Roll call Present: Councilmen Bartholomew, Glass, Johnson, Mayor Miller, and Councilman Thornberry-5 Absent : None Present also: The Citizens Tax Advisory Committee, and a large delegation of citizens. The Mayor announced that the meeting was called for a public discussion on the proposed ordinance providing for the filing with the Tax Assessor of inventories of physical personal property used in connection with a business or profession, said ordinance having been requested by the Citizens' Tax Advisory Committee to implement the tax reappraisal and revaluation program. The Mayor then introduced Landon Bradfield, Chairman of the Citizenst Tax Advisory Committee, who gave a brief summary of the work of the Committee and the necessity for the proposed ordinance. The Mayor then declared the meeting open to discussion. The following citizens offered objections to various phases of the ordinance, substantially as follows: Frances Amsler, representing E. M. Scarbrough & Sons; W. L. Heierman, representing Walter Tips Company; Mr. Johnson, representing C.J. Martin & Sons; Ed Clark, Attorney; Louis Hirshfeld, J. J. Holloway, Sr.; Frank Holloway, Messrs. Nelson and Smith, who objected to the date for inventories, and having to make same public; the exclusion from the ordinance of assessments on stocks, bonds, jewelry, etc.,; the period in which the books of a business are subject to inspection; and the amount of the penalty imposed. Following a lengthy discussion of the matter, in which all present were given an opportunity to be heard, it was agreed that certain revisions 1508 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 1508 of the ordinance be made, such as the length of time in which the books of a business shall be open to inspection; a reduction of the penalty to $200.00 per month, and other revisions; and it was further agreed that Attorneys A. J. Wirtz, J. C. Hinsley, and Ed Clark be appointed to meet with the City Attorney for redrafting of the ordinance, for submission to the City Council on Tuesday next. Upon motion, seconded and carried, the meeting was then recessed, subject to call of the Mayor. Attest: Hallie Mi Hella CITY CLERK Jom Milla. Approved: MAYOR