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Art Martinez de Vara - Liberty Cities On Displays

Small cities in Texas called "Liberty Cities" are limiting the size and scope of government by adopting reforms like using excess sales tax to lower property taxes, competitive contracting, and limiting debt, taxes, and regulations. The document then discusses the specific examples of Von Ormy, Texas and how it operates as a Liberty City with a small government approach, including virtual city hall, privatized services, eliminating fees, and maintaining a balanced budget with a lower property tax rate than nearby cities. It suggests creating a new "Type D" statutory designation for Liberty Cities to formally limit their powers and ensure transparency.

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246 views16 pages

Art Martinez de Vara - Liberty Cities On Displays

Small cities in Texas called "Liberty Cities" are limiting the size and scope of government by adopting reforms like using excess sales tax to lower property taxes, competitive contracting, and limiting debt, taxes, and regulations. The document then discusses the specific examples of Von Ormy, Texas and how it operates as a Liberty City with a small government approach, including virtual city hall, privatized services, eliminating fees, and maintaining a balanced budget with a lower property tax rate than nearby cities. It suggests creating a new "Type D" statutory designation for Liberty Cities to formally limit their powers and ensure transparency.

Uploaded by

TPPF
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Liberty Cities on Display

Around the state, city governments are


forming that are limited in scope and
unlimited in potential. From using excess
sales tax revenues to reduce the property
tax burden to adopting the competitive
contracting system, cities such as Von
Ormy, League City, Marlin and Tyler have
adopted many good government reforms
to limit the size and growth of government.

What is a Liberty City?


A

city established on the principles of


limited government, preservation of
individual and property rights,
restrictions on debt and taxing
authority
Have been implemented in various
ways across the state of Texas
Recent increase due as Texans attempt
to preserve rural/suburban
communities against annexation efforts
of large urban cities

The City of Von Ormy

Von Ormy, Texas


Who we are:
1350 residents
2.4 square miles

89.6% Hispanic, 10.4%


Anglo
Median Household
income: $32,621
57.8% speak Spanish in
the home
16.6% of families live below
the poverty line and 21.1% of
individuals
Average drive time to work:
39.3 min.

Underdevelopment of the
Southside of Bexar County
Absence

of sewer restricts
development

IH 35 at Loop 1604
North Bexar County
(sewer)

IH 35 at Loop 1604
South Bexar County
(no sewer)

Planning for Growth

A Liberty City Approach


Virtual

City Hall
Privatization of public services
Economic development by getting out of the way
Eliminating classes of tax payers
Shifting the tax burden from ad valorem to
consumption taxes
Avoiding restrictions on personal freedoms
Use of trained volunteers
Zero cost permitting
No Fees for City Residents *
Elimination taxes or withdrawal from taxing
jurisdictions that provide no or little service

New City Services Since


Incorporation
20

Officer Police Department


Street Lighting
City Park
Regular Trash Collection/Dumpster Days
Curbside Recycling
Animal Control Services
Municipal Court
Paved unpaved streets
Litter and Graffiti Abatement
Street Maintenance on Schedule
Recruited a Charter School so residents have an
alternative to local ISD

Government for the People


We

allow fireworks
We have no gun restrictions
We have no nighttime curfew
You can smoke a cigar and drink a soda
No fees for platting and subdivision
No fees for building permits
No fees for dog tags
The Freest Little City in Texas

Fiscal Responsibility
Zero

Based Budgeting
Larger Reserve Funds are required for
consumption tax funded cities
Aim to be under budget each year by at least
20%
Trained volunteers
Avoid long term debt
Passed each annual audit with highest rating
Became eligible for programs that residents
have paid into for years, but were ineligible
to receive: reclaimed $350,000.00 to date

The Results

Projected

to be flat in 2015

The Results

2012 - Ad Valorem Rate


Comparison

City of San Antonio

I & S Tax: $0.211500


+M & O Tax: $0.354190
_____________________
= Total Prop. Tax:
$0.565690

City

of Von Ormy

I & S Tax: $0.000000


+M & O Tax: $0.290000
_____________________
= Total Prop. Tax:
$0.290000

Unlike the City of San Antonio who has enacted an I&S tax to
secure payment for debt obligations, the City of Von Ormy
utilizes a system of inter-fund transfers to fulfill debt
requirements.
The different approaches to debt service create a significant
disparity in the property tax rates of the two municipalities.

Other experiments in
Liberty
Every community in Texas is
unique.
Sandy

Oaks, Texas
Kingsbury, Texas

A Statutory Liberty City


CURRENT TYPES OF CITIES IN TEXAS
Home

Rule Cities over 5000 residents

Statutory

Cities under 5000 residents

Type A: Large cities over 700 residents


Aldermen form of government

Type B: Small cities under 700


Aldermen form of government

Type C: Large or small


Commissioner Form of Government

A Statutory Liberty City


Type D: Liberty City
Residents Bill of Rights
Will expressly limit the subject matter authority of
municipal governments

Voter approval of all public debt


Heightened notice requirements for public debt
elections

Transparency requirements
Modeled after Comptrollers Leadership Circle Program

Annexation only by voluntary consent


Property tax increases shall require approval
of voters and not automatically established
Established by incorporation or conversion via
public election

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