What is a County Tax Assessor-Collector?
And why is it an elected office in Texas?
By John Turner-McClelland, Democratic Candidate for Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector
Texas homeowners are aware of the main function of a Tax Assessor-Collector (TAC), which is collecting property taxes. Each city, county and school district contracts with the county TAC office to collect taxes on their behalf. If they didn’t do this, you’d be writing up to 5 or more property tax checks to different entities. Instead, each of the 57 total entities sets its tax rate, the TAC calculates what you owe, and sends you or your bank the bill.
Texas does not have a traditional Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) like most states. In fact, the TxDMV didn’t even exist until 2009, when it was created to take over some functions then handled by TxDOT. And as you know, the DPS still handles driver licenses. That leaves vehicle titles and registrations. The TAC offices process those in each of the 254 counties on behalf of the state, for both vehicles and boats. Texas law also requires a special inventory tax paid by car dealers, which is also collected by the TAC on behalf of the state.
In some counties, the TAC administers elections. Harris County is an example. However, the law provides the option of having a separate Elections Administration, which Collin County has opted for. The TAC is on the commission to hire/fire the Elections Administrator. The other members are the County Judge, County Clerk, and Party Chairs.
In Collin County, the TAC is a 3-office operation of 103 employees, and a budget of over $6.4 million. As a result, the TAC is the 5th highest paid salary in the county government executive structure (behind Sheriff, County Judge, County Clerk, & District Clerk). Only the Sheriff and DA are responsible for larger department staffs.
Collin County has a county population of over 1 million, which could reach 3 million by 2050. The county tax office must be ready to handle the growing population with proper staffing, expansion, and modernization. We need a customer service-focused operation that is efficient and ready to serve both taxpayers and tax entities.
I am running to fill the current leadership void created by our current county office holders. The office of TAC is not a hobby. Hobbies are for vacations and retirement. This is a commitment and a time to break up the status quo. This is why I want to be a part of the new leadership that Collin County so desperately needs.
I hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in addition to my double major Geography and Political Science BA. I worked in corporate America for decades, and now work for myself as a REALTOR®. I’ve previously been an elected official in Denton County for nearly 7 years (elected twice as President of the Board of Directors of the Denton County Fresh Water Supply District 11-A), overseeing consultants, bonds, and a multi-million dollar budget, along with working together with local governments.
This is why I am wholly qualified and want to be your next Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector. I ask for your vote and your support. Please consider making your donation at https://john.vote.
