Is there way to get a legal opinion from the State? I live on a leased lot on Lake Graham, the city of Graham owns the lot. Starting last year the city started taxing us for the value of the lot even thou The city owns the lot. I don’t think it is legal and am hoping to find a state agency that will make an opinion. The tax appraisers picked a number out of his [censored] seemingly for the lots. He says the land is worth $35,000 an acre so depending on how big your lot is that is what we now have that added to our appraised value of our property.

the Attorney General's office maybe?

Boy that does seem shady.

Although in the commercial world we are responsible for our share of taxes at our office locations.

Pay it a couple of years then file for a title on the land.

no state agency will render an opinion on any legal matter, they could be on either side of a case so they just don't, I also think it may be illegal for them to do it.

I have asked simple questions a few times and always the same response.

Call Neil Blanton and raise Hell.

I would file it as a complaint....they will investigate even if they won't give opinions.....they certainly give open records request opinions because I deal with them daily

I worked at the power plant for 35 years so I know Neal Blanton very well. He was about the sorriest employee the electric company ever had

Are they adding the tax costs into the lease or are you specifically paying a tax bill to the County? I can see adding the costs into the lease, because as a taxpayer, why should I pay taxes on something you occupy?

I suggest having an attorney take a look at your lease agreement. The part about property taxes should be referenced somewhere. If not, ask that attorney what to do.

I don't doubt that one bit.

For example my property was appraised at $126,000 in 2019 for the tax record. In 2020 the added the value of the land to the 126K. I have a little less than an acre so the land appraised for $29,000. I have a drainage ditch that is 150’x 40’ on the West side of my lot. I argued that that shouldn’t be included because it is not usable land. They agreed and knocked $6,000 off. So that made the land at$23,000. They added $23,000 to the $126,000 to make be taxed on $149,000. So I paid taxes on the city’s land that was valued at $23,000

About the only option I can think of: https://www2.texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinion/about-attorney-general-opinions

You say you lease the property?

What does the lease say? The lease should detail who handles what expenses of the property. Taxes, insurance, upkeep etc.

For residential type lots $35,000 an acre sounds cheap pending where you are at, if they are water front etc. it sounds dirt cheap.