Page 20 - The Indian EYE 052226

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 22, 2026 | The Indian Eye 20

Annette Ramirez Discusses Taxes, Voting

& County Services at IAPAC Forum

OUR BUREAU
Houston, TX
he Indian American Public
Affairs Council (IAPAC) suc-
Tcessfully hosted another im-
pactful edition of its Conversations
Over Coffee community engagement
series, featuring Harris County Tax
Assessor-Collector Annette Ramirez.
The event brought together commu-
nity members, civic leaders, and res-
idents for an informative discussion
on property taxes, exemptions, voter
registration, vehicle registrations, and
modernization initiatives impacting
Harris County residents.
Held at Winfield’s Chocolate ities at branch offices, and modernize
Bar in Houston, the forum provided voter registration infrastructure. She
attendees with direct access to one of explained that Harris County is tran-
the county’s key public officials and sitioning to a new voter registration
encouraged open dialogue around system with enhanced GIS and map-
navigating complex tax systems, un- ping capabilities to improve accuracy
derstanding taxpayer rights, and im- and operational efficiency.
proving civic participation. Ramirez also discussed voter
The event was organized and registration procedures, important
opened by Barath Menon, who wel- registration deadlines, and the var-
comed attendees and emphasized ious ways residents can register to
the importance of civic awareness vote, including the documentation
and community engagement. The required. She reiterated the impor-
discussion was moderated by Sindhu tance of maintaining the integrity
Menon, Harris County Executive Di- and authenticity of voter registration
rector & Chief Information Officer, records and explained the multiple Annette Ramirez - Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector with Jagat Kamdar (left) IAPAC
who guided the conversation across safeguards and verification processes Founder and Sindhu Menon (right) Harris County Executive Director & Chief Information Officer
several topics relevant to home- built into the system to address con- at the Conversations over Coffee event.
owners, business owners, and voters cerns related to voter fraud and en-
throughout Harris County. sure election integrity. tax protests, public awareness, and in local businesses and coffee shops
During the conversation, A significant portion of the dis- disparities in protest participation to encourage civic dialogue and pub-
Ramirez highlighted several mod- cussion focused on property tax ex- across different communities in Har- lic engagement. He noted that the
ernization efforts undertaken by the emptions and ways residents can ris County. Ramirez discussed on- initiative, which began in the Greater
Harris County Tax Assessor-Col- reduce their tax burden. Ramirez going outreach initiatives, including Houston area, has now expanded to
lector’s Office to improve accessi- emphasized the importance of neighborhood block-walking cam- Dallas and San Antonio.
bility and customer experience for homestead exemptions, over-65 ex- paigns aimed at educating homeown- The forum concluded with a
residents. Discussing the launch of emptions, disability exemptions, and ers about available exemptions and Vote of Thanks by Indrani Sirkar,
MyHarrisCountyTax.com, an online business personal property exemp- protest procedures. Secretary of IAPAC, who expressed
platform designed to simplify prop- tions. She noted that many residents Attendees also learned about appreciation to Annette Ramirez for
erty tax payments and account man- are still unfamiliar with the property payment plans available for delin- providing valuable and insightful in-
agement, Ramirez explained that the tax system or unaware that they may quent taxes, penalties associated with formation and thanked community
goal was to make the system “easier, qualify for exemptions, stressing that unpaid balances, and recent legisla- members for their active participa-
more efficient, and more accessible” “education and outreach are critical tive updates affecting homeowners tion in making the event a success.
for taxpayers. to ensuring residents can fully benefit and small businesses. A special acknowledgment was
The platform enables residents from the programs available to them.” Barath Menon, IAPAC Board also extended to Jo Sauter, Gener-
to create personal accounts, manage She encouraged homeowners to Member, reiterated the importance al Manager of Winfield’s Chocolate
multiple properties in one location, verify that all eligible exemptions are of civic awareness and community Bar, for graciously providing compli-
receive payment reminders, establish properly filed with the Harris Central engagement. Naveen Kochoth, Presi- mentary coffee for attendees.
payment plans, and set up automatic Appraisal District (HCAD), explain- dent of IAPAC, shared the vision be- Community feedback highlight-
bank withdrawals. ing that exemptions can substantially hind the Conversations Over Coffee ed that the session addressed a highly
Ramirez also discussed efforts to lower annual property tax obligations. series, explaining that these informal relevant topic and offered practical,
replace outdated county technology The conversation also addressed neighborhood gatherings are de- timely guidance that residents found
systems, improve transaction capabil- challenges surrounding property signed to bring communities together both valuable and informative.

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