The Little Guy Gets Screwed Again

The City of Lubbock, when it buys property, has an unusual way of arriving at “fair market” value.

When the City wanted to build a visitor’s center at a location that was carried on the Lubbock Central Appraisal District rolls at around $600,000, it forked over $1.3 million to the building owner. 

When the City purchased a piece of property at Fourth Street and Slide Road in order to widen Slide, it paid $1.9 million for a house and land that was carried on the rolls at less than a million.

Now 98^th Street is caving in because the City didn’t perform due diligence while it was being built several years ago. 

The problem on the street has virtually destroyed at least one home (carried on the LCAD roles at slightly more than $142,000).  If what is being reported by my favorite newspaper is true, the City is offering to pay the homeowner, who was a long-time police officer, a little more than $150,000!  http://lubbockonline.com/stories/042610/upd_624462251.shtml

If we are to believe that Lubbock CAD rolls are accurate, the taxpayers got screwed when the City bought the warehouse in the Depot District, and we got it again in the shorts when they bought the Tara House and its property.

Now, a taxpayer, whose wife became so ill when the insulation began seeping into the home because of the screw up she had to move, is getting “fair market” value for his home?

I look forward to hearing from my friends on the Council as to why the City pays one taxpayer the “right” price for his property and gives away the farm to two other property owners.

This is shameful and so unfair.