Open letter addressed to Tyler County Officials from concerned citizens group

In a social media post yesterday, a group calling themselves the Concerned Citizens of Tyler County issued an open letter addressing Tyler County Officials.

To the Tyler County Commissioners Court and County Judge:

As residents and taxpayers of Tyler County, we are deeply concerned about the current fiscal management of our county. We are calling for immediate action to address these issues:

Lower the Effective Tax Rate:

The recent property value reassessments have placed an undue burden on many residents. We demand that you lower the effective tax rate to offset these increases. You are responsible for serving the citizens, not maximizing tax revenue at our expense.

Stop Misrepresenting Budget Growth:

The claim of a "no-new-revenue" budget is misleading when actual county spending increases yearly. We call for honest and transparent communication about budget growth. A budget that requires more dollars than the previous year, regardless of the source, is, by definition, a growth budget.

Implement True Fiscal Responsibility:

We demand a thorough review and overhaul of county spending. Identify areas of waste and inefficiency. Prioritize essential services and cut unnecessary expenditures. The continual increase in the county budget is unsustainable and burdens taxpayers unfairly.

Increase Budget Transparency:

Provide clear, detailed breakdowns of county spending that are easily accessible to all residents. Hold public forums to explain budget decisions and allow for community input before finalizing the budget.

Long-term Financial Planning:

Develop and share a long-term financial plan for the county that doesn't rely on continual tax increases. This should include strategies for economic development, efficient service delivery, and maintaining a stable tax rate.

Accountability Measures:

Implement performance metrics for county departments and regularly report on these to the public. This will help ensure that increased spending, where necessary, is tied to improved services and outcomes for county residents.

We'd like to remind you that you were elected to serve the interests of Tyler County residents. The current approach to county finances suggests a disconnection from the financial realities faced by many in our community. We are not an unlimited source of funding for county operations.

We expect to see concrete steps taken to address these issues before the next budget cycle. We will closely monitor actions taken by the Commissioners Court and hold you accountable for decisions that impact our financial well-being.

Tyler County deserves leadership that respects its citizens, manages resources efficiently, and plans responsibly for the future. We demand nothing less from our elected officials.

Sincerely,

The Concerned Citizens of Tyler County