"Disaster Relief" or Just Another Tax Grab? Travis County's Creative Accounting Strikes Again

In a shocking turn of events that has absolutely no one surprised, Travis County officials have once again demonstrated their creative accounting skills by using a disaster declaration to justify a property tax hike. Because nothing says "emergency flood relief" like squeezing an extra $200 out of homeowners who were already drowning—financially, that is.

Lago Vista Mayor Shane Saum and former Austin mayoral candidate Jeff Bowen, two men who clearly have nothing better to do than file lawsuits, are now the self-appointed heroes of the taxpayer. Their argument? That the county’s 9.12% tax increase—allegedly for flood recovery—was actually just a sneaky way to fund… well, who even knows? A new margarita machine for the commissioners’ break room? Gold-plated pothole fillers? The possibilities are endless.

Travis County, of course, insists they followed the law to the letter. County spokesperson Hector Nieto, in between sips of his artisanal, locally sourced kombucha, assured the public that the flood damage was "incredible" and that the tax hike was totally necessary. Because when your house is underwater, the first thing you want is a higher property tax bill. Nothing eases the pain of soggy drywall like writing a bigger check to the government.

Meanwhile, former Travis County Judge Bill Aleshire—who, let’s be honest, probably still has a grudge from the '80s—called the move "lawless and foolish." He’s not wrong, but let’s be real: when has that ever stopped anyone in local government? The real tragedy here is that Austin voters just rejected a 20% tax hike, proving once again that the people have no appreciation for bold, innovative fiscal policy.

So here we are, folks. Another day, another lawsuit, another reminder that if you want to find creative ways to take people’s money, just look to your local government. They’ve got it down to an art form. And if you don’t like it? Well, good luck fighting City Hall—or in this case, County Courthouse. Maybe next time they’ll declare a "disaster" over the lack of avocado toast in the commissary.