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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-13 Euless Articles Texas House bill tries to close property tax exemption loophole By Steven Dial Published April 29, 2025 4:19pm CDT Texas Legislature FOX 4 Texas bill tries to close property tax exemption loophole House Bill 21 aims to ban what's known as traveling HFCs. Supporters argue these outside housing finance corporations are taking advantage of a loophole that gives them a property tax exemption. The program was initially designed to provide affordable housing for people like teachers and first responders, b ut officials say it's being abused. The Brief HB 21 aims to ban what's known as traveling HFCs. Supporters argue these outside housing finance corporations are taking advantage of a loophole that gives them a property tax exemption. The program was initially designed to provide affordable housing for people like teachers and first responders, but officials say it's being abused. DALLAS - Some Texas lawmakers are trying to close what they call a property tax exemption loophole. It involves housing financial corporations, or HFCs. What are HFCs? Cities use housing financial corporations to provide affordable housing and apartments. In exchange, the property owners receive tax exemptions. The original intent of the program was to provide housing for people like teachers and first responders. The problem is that some of these deals are being done without city approval. House Bill 21 State Rep. Gary Gates, a Republican from the Houston area, filed HB 21 to ban traveling HFCs. For example, an HFC from West Texas could approve the purchase of an apartment development in North Texas, and that property is removed from the tax rolls. The state budget office estimates billions of dollars in tax revenue have been lost due to the loophole. Gates said the bill is all about putting guardrails on the issue. "I cannot find an owner who suffers any income loss for receiving 100% property tax exemption while still charging market rent," he said. Without local oversight, he argued it is hard for cities to know if HFC properties a re following guidelines. What they're saying: Some North Texas officials provided testimony supporting HB 21. They believe the program is being abused by property buyers who can avoid oversight by making purchase agreements through outside HFCs. "The current application contradicts the act’s intent by enabling HFCs to travel statewide, stripping local governments of tax revenue and oversight of public benefit," said Euless City Manager Chris Barker. Oak Park Apartments in Euless has been around for 40 years. A few years ago, it was purchased by the Cameron County HFC, which is located more than 500 miles away. "They purchased the property in Euless and received a 100% tax abatement with no contact, no notification, no consultation, or no consent by the Euless City Council," Barker said. The HFC purchase resulted in a loss of $115 million in taxable value at that property alone. FOX 4 called Cameron County HFC for comment, but did not hear back. Last month, Williamson County in Central Texas sued Cameron County HFC for a similar issue. "We want these people to come to us and give, allow us to give our permission. We wouldn’t necessarily say no every single time. But if it’s gonna happen in our community, we need to be involved," said Jon Weist, an Irving legislative officer. The Arlington mayor has focused his attention on Zenith Apartments near AT&T Stadium, which is owned by Pecos HFC in West Texas. Last week, Arlington was granted a restraining order against Pecos HFC. The other side: Developers believe the bill would reduce available housing. "That loss would be felt not only by families seeking to live affordably throu ghout our entire communities but also by cities and counties seeking investment and retirement in housing for economic development and revitalization," said Lance Gilliam, the managing partner of Concentric Community Advisors. A member of the Army National Guard who lives at Zenith Apartments in Arlington sent a letter to the lawmakers arguing that the program helps people like him save money because of reduced fees for military and first responders. What's next: HB 21 passed out of committee this week. It still needs a full House vote. The Source: FOX 4 reporter Steven Dial gathered details for this story from testimony on HB 21. Man charged with making threat toward Hurst elementary school, police say By Lillie Davidson Updated May 5, 2025 5:59 PM Charles Thomas was interviewed by Hurst police over the weekend and he now faces a charge of making a terroristic threat against Hurst Hills Elementary School, police said on Monday, May 5. A man has been arrested and faces a charge of making a threat toward Hurst Hills Elementary School, Hurst police said on Monday afternoon. The man, identified in online jail records as 35-year-old Charles Clayton Thomas, was interviewed by police over the weekend, police said in a Facebook post. After being interviewed by police, Thomas initially was arrested on unrelated charges of resisting arrest and evading arrest, according to the Facebook post. Following additional investigation, police obtained a probable cause warrant on Monday to arrest Thomas on a charge of terroristic threat against the school, officials said. Thomas is being held in the Tarrant County Jail and his bond on the terroristic threat charge has not yet been set, police said. Police and school officials said extra officers have been placed on the campus of Hurst Hills Elementary and nearby as a precaution. Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District officials said in a message to parents that the threat was made in an “unsettling” social media post. “W e appreciate the quick response of our HEB ISD Safety Team and the Hurst Police Department to investigate and ensure that our school community can continue to feel safe,” HEB ISD officials said in the letter. “If you ever see a social media post that concerns you, please continue to share it as soon as possible with our Hurst Hills Elementary staff or directly with the Hurst Police Department so it may be investigated.” Further details of what the threatening post said have not been released. All-girls after school club helps shelter pets in Euless get adopted For more than two decades, the Trinity GAP Club has volunteered once a week at the Euless Animal Shelter By Noelle Walker • Published May 7, 2025 • Updated on May 7, 2025 at 6:42 pm The animal shelter is no place for pets. That's where the Trinity GAP Club comes in; socializing, deeding, walking, taking photos, and getting the word out on social media to find pets at the Euless Animal Shelter their forever homes. "Because I think all dogs deserve a loving and caring home," Trinity GAP Club member Reese Abanilla said. "But also helping the dogs find homes or fosters, it's super rewarding!" The GAP in Trinity GAP stands for Girls Awareness Program. It was started in 2003 by Steffenie Vela when she was a teacher at Trinity High School to give young women a way to get involved in their community. The club is on its second generation of students now. "Yes," Vela said. "We have girls who foster for us now that are adults with children. I'm old!" Wise would be a better description, because the after-school club doesn't just help the animals in the shelter. "We teach kids responsibility," Vela said. "We're teaching them lifelong responsibility when they have children, or when they get pets of their own, just to be better people." "I just love being around dogs," Trinity GAP Club member Vivian Omagwa said. "They just give me so much happiness! It's so fun to, like, come and be with them, hang out with them." Since the club started, Vela said it's helped the shelter stop euthanizing animals to make room by getting pets adopted and fostered. "I would much rather adopt from a shelter, cause a lot of the times they're much more loving and much more loyal," Trinity GAP Club member Casey Elmore said. "Because they've come from either a broken home, or no home at all; and they go to your home, and they love you, and they learn love." The Trinity GAP Club has expanded since it started to include other schools and a nonprofit, Trinity GAP Rescue, which raises money for the Euless Animal Shelter for vet care and other needs.