State of Texas County of Fort Bend RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR FORT BEND COUNTY TAXPAYERS WHEREAS, On March 13, 2020, a Declaration of State of Disaster was issued by Governor Abbott to take additional steps to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to protect the health and welfare of Texans; and WHEREAS, On March 19, 2020, Governor Abbott ordered every person in Texas to avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors; and WHEREAS, On March 31, 2020, Governor Abbott ordered every person in Texas to further minimize social gatherings and in-person contact except when necessary to provide or obtain essential services through April 30, 2020; and WHEREAS, Non-essential businesses across Fort Bend County and the Houston region have diligently complied with the order to slow the spread of COVID-19 despite experiencing losses of revenue that jeopardize the livelihood of their businesses and employees. As a result, more than 760,000 Texans statewide applied for unemployment insurance in the month of March, a number greater by 60,000 than the total number of similar application in the year 2019; and WHEREAS, Local government has paused many of its revenue-generating operations to comply with social distancing; and WHEREAS, Fort Bend County has consistently set property tax rates at the lowest possible level so that its constituents may lead an affordable, high-quality lifestyle. NOW THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS THAT: On this 21st day of April, 2020, Fort Bend County Commissioners Court implores Governor Greg Abbott, Comptroller Glenn Hegar, the Texas Legislature, and the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District to take all necessary action to provide any and all tax relief to the businesses and constituents of Fort Bend County & the State of Texas during this State of Disaster. These actions may include but are not limited to the following: • Granting an immediate, transparent public review of 2020 Appraisal Values in Fort Bend County before July 25, 2020; 1 Page • Ensuring the right of citizens to a fair, transparent, and proper hearing process of property appraisal value protests with the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District; • Extending the deadline to pay all taxes; • Granting a moratorium on property tax penalties and interest; • Updating the Property Tax Code to allow for relief measures during Declared Disasters, including those of an economic nature; • Calling a special legislative session to consider mandating reappraisals and revaluations of properties in light of the COVID 19 pandemic; modifying the Tax Code, Section 11.35 to specify that economic considerations can apply in temporary reappraisals; and, to codify in the Tax Code that Appraisal Districts can roll back appraised values to the lesser of the current or previous years valuations in times of federally declared disasters; • Calling a special legislative session or taking appropriate executive action to consider and enact these and additional measures to ease the economic burdens and financial hardship Texans are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. _______________________________________ KP George, County Judge _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Vincent Morales, Commissioner, Pct. 1 Andy Meyers, Commissioner, Pct. 3 _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Grady Prestage, Commissioner, Pct. 2 Ken DeMerchant, Commissioner, Pct. 4 ATTEST: _______________________________________ (Seal) Laura Richard, County Clerk 2 Page