Brewster County Court approves $264K tax refunds for Alpine ISD property owners

The Brewster County Commissioners Court convened on December 30, 2024, to address a significant tax issue affecting local property owners. The meeting focused on correcting errors in the Alpine Independent School District (ISD) tax roll for the 2023 tax year, which resulted in overpayments totaling approximately $264,896.37 by affected property owners.

During the session, the court approved an order instructing the Brewster County Tax Assessor Collector to amend the tax roll to reflect the correct tax computations following a constitutional amendment approved earlier in the year. This amendment aimed to provide tax relief for residents aged 65 and older or those with disabilities. The court emphasized that the corrections were necessary due to a software error from the appraisal district, which led to miscalculations affecting many taxpayers.

The court's decision mandates that refunds be issued to those who overpaid their taxes, with a timeline set for the refunds to be processed within 60 days. This means that property owners can expect to receive their refunds by late February 2025. The court reassured residents that sufficient revenue would be available to cover these refunds, as tax payments are expected to come in during January.

In addition to the tax roll corrections, the meeting also noted the resignation of a board member from the Brewster County Appraisal District, with a new appointee, Betty Jo Rooney, set to take her place. Rooney, a former tax collector, is anticipated to bring valuable experience to the board.

The next meeting of the Brewster County Commissioners Court is scheduled for January 14, 2025, where a more extensive agenda is expected to be discussed. This meeting highlights the court's ongoing commitment to addressing community concerns and ensuring fair tax practices for Brewster County residents.