It’s About the Right Things EDITORIAL

LIBERTY, July 5, 2005 - July is a particularly vexing time of year for those who owe property taxes and have not yet been able to pay them. In addition to 18% penalties there is an additional delinquent tax attorney fee that is tacked on to the taxes and penalties left owing for the previous year on July 1, 2005.

Our institutions suffer, as we all do, from the persistent poor business climate that exists in south Liberty County. It is in fact business and industry which provides the jobs and wealth necessary for the community and its’ institutions to prosper.

A former Liberty City Councilman once told me, “We in Liberty County spend our money on the wrong things.” I could not agree more. Spending our money on the wrong things limits our ability to spend money on the right things. It limits our ability to spend money on wealth building economic development and the necessary business infrastructure that such projects and ventures require.

The currently planned building projects of the City of Liberty are an example of spending money we don’t have, on something, which is not needed, and raising taxes in order to do it. Spending money in this way limits our ability to participate in business development projects that would bring significant economic benefit to our area and assist
business and industry, our source of prosperity.

Our institutions need to survive and prosper as we all do. Business and industry create the jobs and personal incomes necessary for our institutions to prosper though the public’s utilization of their services. In the case of Liberty Dayton Hospital, it would be far better for the community if they could prosper by providing services than merely exist on income from the taxpayer.

In researching a story some months ago I spoke to several elderly people who complained they could no longer afford to stay in their homes because of their constantly escalating property tax burden. If you are age 65 or older, you may want to consider a tax deferment, which would defer the tax burden on your home until your death.

Let’s spend our money on the right things, it’s called investing in our future. And what is in store for our future? Since January of this year, at least four industrial businesses have looked at the area for expansion according to Economic Development Executive, Laura Wilson. Liberty is attractive due to its close proximity to Houston and Beaumont markets, lower taxation compared to these two metropolitan statistical areas, quality of living, and lower labor costs. $12 to $15 per hour may seem low on Houston’s pay scale, but to the City of Liberty that’s higher than the average county weekly wage.

So where are these industries? “They are seeking sites where infrastructure — water, sewer, electrical, rail, roads,etc., exist,” according to Wilson. “It’s easy to say come and we will build the infrastructure. Businesses make their expansion needs based on timelines which simply means, where the infrastructure currently exists.”

Liberty is like many communities who want to be pro-business—“Come and we will build”. According to Wilson, "Communities making the short list for business expansion are saying, “Yes, we have it and are ready for you”.

Without basic infrastructure, incentives are just a “break-even” economic recruiting tool. The region is too competitive for “break-even” recruitment.