§ 1-8. Property (ad valorem) taxes.

(a)

Office of tax assessor-collector established. There is hereby established the office of tax assessor-collector for the city. The duly appointed city secretary shall serve as tax assessor-collector for the city. The tax assessor-collector shall provide for collection of all property taxes due the city, assist the city council in complying with the tax increase notices, issue tax certificates, prepare delinquent tax rolls, make reports to the city council on taxes collected, and perform such other duties as may be required by state property tax laws and directives of the city council. The tax assessor-collector shall be registered and certified as may be required by state law.

(b)

Participation in appraisal district. The city hereby provides for participation in the county appraisal district. The said appraisal district shall be authorized to perform all appraisal and assessment functions required under the State Property Tax Code. The city shall retain collection functions.

(c)

Residence homestead exemptions. In addition to other exemptions as provided for in the State Property Tax Code, the following exemptions are also hereby authorized by the city:

(1)

General percentage homestead tax exemption. As approved by the voters in a constitutional amendment on November 3, 1981, and as provided for in H.J.R./81 of the 1981 Texas Legislature, the city hereby grants a special exemption to all owners of residential homesteads, not just elderly persons, an exemption of ten percent of the total appraised value of the property or $5,000.00 whichever is more.

(2)

Elderly homestead tax exemption. The city hereby exempts $5,000.00 of the appraised value of the residence homestead of any individual who is 65 years of age or older, as provided for in Section 1.13 of the State Property Tax Code in addition to the general percentage homestead tax exemption, as provided for in subsection (1) above.

(d)

Tax due date. The property taxes levied by the city each year shall become due on the first day of October of each year for which the levy is made and shall become delinquent if not paid before February 1 of the year following the year in which the tax is imposed. Penalties and interest for delinquent taxes shall incur in accordance with V.T.C.A., Tax Code § 33.01.

(e)

Collection of delinquent taxes. Whenever any accounts for delinquent taxes owed the City of Terrell are given to its tax attorney for collection, on of after July 1 of the year they become delinquent, the City of Terrell shall be entitled to and shall collect, an additional penalty of 15 percent of the delinquent taxes and penalty (including any interest owed) due on each delinquent property at the time of collection, either before or after suit and/or foreclosure sale as provided by V.T.C.A., Tax Code § 33.07.

In addition to the collection expenses provided for above, the City of Terrell shall be entitled to collect the actual expenses incurred by the City of Terrell in providing all data and information as to the name, identity, and location of necessary parties and the legal description of property necessary to the filing of any suit for delinquent taxes.

(f)

Installment payment of delinquent taxes. The tax assessor-collector is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement on behalf of the city with a person delinquent in the payment of the property tax penalties and interest on an installment basis at the discretion of the tax assessor-collector. All agreements must be in writing and shall not extend for a period of more than 36 months. Interest shall continue to accrue as provided for in V.T.C.A., Tax Code § 33.01(c) on the unpaid balance during the period of any agreement.

(g)

Refunds of overpayments or erroneous payments. In accordance with V.T.C.A., Tax Code § 31.11, a taxpayer may apply to the tax assessor-collector for a refund of an overpayment or erroneous payment of taxes and if an audit reveals that the payment was erroneous or excessive, the tax assessor-collector shall refund the amount of the excessive or erroneous payment. However, if the amount of refund exceeds $500.00, the tax assessor-collector must submit such request before the city council for approval before making any refund.

(Ord. No. 1246, 10-29-81; Ord. No. 1372, 11-6-84)