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HB 1723 would expand the number of members on the board of directors for both the Harris County Improvement District No. 10 (HCID) and Five Corners Improvement District from 7 to 9 members The bill also names the nine members.
HB 1723 would also expand the territory of the Harris County Improvement District No. 10. Financial provisions for Harris County Improvement District No. 10 would require a petition requesting a service or improvement project financed by assessment would need to be signed by the owners of at least 60 percent of the assessed value of real property in the district subject to assessment according to the most recent certified tax appraisal roll for Harris County.
While we are opposed to economic development districts which generally bear all the classic hallmarks of government intervention in free markets, we recognize that this bill does not create new districts but provides updates to current districts. Still, this bill is more than a technical update in that it expands the footprint of the HCID which is an increase in the size of government - in this case a unit of government that is a taxing entitiy.
The petition process is based on 60% of assessed value rather than 60% of property owners. If the 60% of property value lies in the hands of only a few the voice of the other property owners would be drowned, diminishing their political voice and rights as property owners. Basing the threshold on assessed value rather than one vote per property owner seems antithetical to the democratic process.
We oppose HB 1723 as an infringement on limited government.
The second chamber sponsor Sen. Ellis.
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