South Brazoria News

Due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision to end split payment options for paying property taxes owed to Brazos County has been rescinded by the Commissioners Court.

Property taxes could previously be made in equal payments with a split payment option, according to KXXV. But the County Commissioners Court voted to end split payment options in the county. With many residents upset about the decision to eliminate the split payment option – particularly given the uncertainty brought on by the economic shutdown due to the coronavirus – the Commissioners Court of Brazos County decided to rescind its vote,

"That’s a huge chunk of money for people to have to come up," Brazos County Tax Assessor Kristeen Roe told KXXV. "So, I think the courts thought process was if we tell people early enough they can go ahead and finish their payment for last year and they will have time to budget to come up with the payment in January."

Voting on eliminating the split payment option early in the year was done to give taxpayers a heads up, Roe told KXXV. This way taxpayers wouldn't be surprised during the November election if the split payment option was taken away the next month.  

“The first deadline for payment is November 30th. So if we waited after the election and everything to start the process and get the bills out there is no guarantee the bills will get out in time for people to participate in that split payment that have always budgeted for it,” Roe told KXXV.

But many residents weren't happy with the unanimous vote, according to KXXV.

Brazos County resident Tony Watson told KXXV that revoking the split payment option shouldn't have even been discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"It's time right now to go lets take a breath and maybe we put this on hold," Watson said. "We need to be worrying about other people and our constituents and how they are going to survive what’s going on."

As of May 10, Texas reported 38,869 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 1,088 deaths. Brazos County has 265 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

"I am OK with us removing it as long as people understand that if there is an election for somebody who goes over the cap, they need to be aware that they need to check before the end of November to make sure they made the correct half pay," Brazos County Judge Duane Peters told KXXV. "If they do that, there is no problem."