Invest: spoke with Tim O’Hare, county judge of Tarrant County, about the strengths of the region, the impact of the new A&M campus in Fort Worth and the importance of housing as infrastructure. He said, “The western feel is still alive and well in Tarrant County, and it is a fantastic place to live, work, go to church and learn.”
What are some highlights for Tarrant County this year?
Tarrant County is the third largest county in Texas, and it’s the 15th most populous county in the United States. We have more people in Tarrant County than in 14 other U.S. states. It is a big place where faith, family and freedom are still celebrated. It is where the West begins, and the Stockyards here have become one of the most visited tourist attractions in Texas. The western feel is still alive and well in Tarrant County, and it is a fantastic place to live, work, go to church and learn. We did a groundbreaking for the new Texas A&M Law Building in Fort Worth. Long term plans are to have a significant campus downtown, which is very safe, pretty and walkable. We also have Arlington in Tarrant County. Tarrant County is the only county in Texas with two cities in the top ten population for the state of Texas. It is the sports capital of Texas. We have 41 total cities in our county, with 20 different school districts. There is something here for everyone.
What are your priorities for this year?
Priority number one is cutting property taxes. The county government sets the county and hospital district tax rates, and we recently passed a historic 10% homestead exemption in Tarrant County. This provided much needed tax relief to homeowners. We are voting on the budget, where we will provide significant tax rate cuts. The price of housing is getting higher and higher, and with inflation the rates are much higher. This makes it hard for people to buy a home or change homes. We can provide relief to ease that burden.
Priority number two is having strong law enforcement. We have seen places that have less of an emphasis on law and order. That isn’t what Tarrant County is about. We are going to make sure that people are safe in their homes and streets. This is not a place where bad behavior is tolerated. We made a major investment in the sheriff’s office with more to come. The third priority is that we want to encourage businesses to thrive, because a rising tide lifts all boats. It is good for everyone.
Why is Tarrant County and North Texas a great place to work, live, and play?
I have lived here all my life, and I was born and raised in Dallas County, and I moved to Tarrant County 12 years ago. Dallas County is more big city like, and Tarrant is slower paced, but not in a negative way. It is safer and more down home. The atmosphere is pure Texas, and Texans are friendly and welcoming people with big ideas. It has American exceptionalism and local pride. At the end of the day, we are special because faith, family and freedom are alive and well and celebrated.
What are the most pressing infrastructure needs in the county?
This is not unique to Tarrant County, but it is housing. The real estate market is turned upside down. It is hard to find an affordable home with the rates and inflation. Mortgages are up significantly, mainly in regard to interest. Housing is the most pressing need. We have been good about managing highways here, and we don’t have the serious traffic issues that our neighbors sometimes do. We have planned our transportation well, but our biggest issue is housing. We are asking counties to participate in a mortgage program, where the state will help provide mortgages at a lower rate than a private lender. We are the officers of the housing finance corporation. We just partnered with Texas on this project. This has no effect on the tax rate, and it uses private bonds to get lower rates than on the market. When the government spends money like wild, and increases the deficit by record sums, then eventually some fiscal pain will be felt. Some fiscal sanity has to come, and hopefully the cycle will come back around. It is painful for a lot of people until it does.
Where do you see Tarrant County and North Texas going over the next few years?
Tarrant County is growing, and Fort Worth is the fastest growing city in America. It really is an incredible place to live. You have to be part of it to understand it. Our airport is expanding significantly, making it easy to travel here. General Motors is here and certain models are exclusively built here at our local plant. Arlington Texas produces the most SUVs anywhere in the world. Education is strong with the addition of Texas A&M, and Tarleton State and TCU recently rocketed to the top of the sports landscape. Our community colleges have some amazing projects such as Alliance, which is an amazing development put together by the Hillwood Corporation, which is Ross Perot Jr.’s. group. We are a county that is trending up, and it truly is a great place to live, worship, raise a family, and learn. Our best days are ahead, and good things are on the horizon.
