Ft Worth Times

Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare and his fellow commissioners have garnered praise for their decision to implement a significant 13% reduction in the county tax rate, providing notable relief for local residents, KERA News reported. The move comes as part of a concerted effort to alleviate the tax burden while fostering economic growth in the region.

O'Hare highlighted significant property tax cuts and economic achievements in his inaugural State of the County address on Aug. 17. Addressing an audience of elected officials, county employees and business leaders at the Fort Worth Convention Center, O'Hare fulfilled his campaign pledge by announcing substantial reductions in property taxes. O'Hare's administration also witnessed the adoption of lower property tax rates that encompassed a reduction in the property tax supporting John Peter Smith Hospital, the county's public medical center. These cuts are expected to provide meaningful tax relief for homeowners, with O'Hare emphasizing that the savings would be applicable even in cases where property values appreciate, a rarity in current times.

“A lot of times, people talk about tax cuts, and then when you get your bill, you actually look at it, and your tax bill is higher than it was before, which doesn’t seem a whole lot like a tax cut,” he said.

In his speech, O'Hare stressed his dedication to propelling job growth within the county, expressing his intent to address the challenge of attracting corporate relocations and investments. Despite the county's impressive development projects and Fort Worth's rapid expansion, O'Hare acknowledged a need to bolster efforts to compete with neighboring counties like Dallas and Collin. He pointed to the forthcoming establishment of a Texas A&M campus in Downtown Fort Worth as an exciting development that would contribute to the region's economic vitality.

Throughout his address, O'Hare emphasized the collaborative and constructive relationships he shares with his fellow commissioners on the Commissioners Court. He underscored the importance of open communication, stating that disagreements are resolved amicably, leaving no room for lingering grudges.

Before becoming Tarrant County judge, O'Hare held political roles in Farmers Branch, serving as both a city council member and mayor from 2005 to 2011. Notably, his attempts to prohibit landlords from renting to undocumented immigrants led to a legal dispute that incurred substantial legal fees for the city. He later relocated to Southlake, where he was involved in opposing diversity and inclusion initiatives in public schools, attracting attention through an NBC podcast. During his early tenure as Tarrant County judge, O'Hare gained national attention by establishing an Election Integrity Task Force, despite low occurrences of election crimes, which resulted in the resignation of the county's elections chief due to conflicts with O'Hare's approach.