In November 2018, Richland Hills voters approved a proposition allocating ½ cent total of sales tax to Street Maintenance (3/8 of one percent) and Type B Economic Development (from the rate of 1/8 to 2/8 of one percent.) The new tax collection began in April 2019 following the final financial obligations to the Fort Worth Transportation Authority in March 2019. The Street Maintenance sales tax was reapproved by voters in May 2022. The Street Maintenance portion of the tax is dedicated strictly to repairing and maintaining (including reconstructing) existing street and sidewalks. Chapter 327 of the Texas Tax Code requires that this portion of the local sales and use tax expires on the fourth anniversary of the date of the beginning of the tax collection. The Street Maintenance portion of the tax will expire in April 2027 if not reauthorized. The proposition on the ballot is as follows: PROPOSITION “THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX IN THE CITY OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS AT THE RATE OF THREE-EIGHTHS OF ONE PERCENT (3/8 of 1%) TO CONTINUE PROVIDING REVENUE FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF MUNICIPAL STREETS. THE TAX EXPIRES ON THE FOURTH (4TH) ANNIVERSARY OF THE DATE OF THIS ELECTION UNLESS THE IMPOSITION OF THE TAX IS REAUTHORIZED.”

Bastiat Liberty & Property Rights Analysis

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.3/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.