Southmost tax office holds groundbreaking

Steve Clark, The Brownsville Herald, Texas
·2 min read

Oct. 22—A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector's Southmost office was held Friday at 3000 Southmost Blvd.

Once complete, the 3,597-square-foot building will serve as the county's 10th assessor-collector's office and will feature five teller stations inside as well as three customer drive-through lanes. The new tax office will feature seating for 52 customers and including a "state of the art ticketing system," according to the county.

The location will collect current and delinquent property taxes. Delinquent taxpayers will be able to make payment arrangements there, as will taxpayers over 65 years of age. The new facility will also handle title transfers, motor vehicle registration renewals, TABC license renewals for liquor, wine and beer, and collection for all new and used car dealership vehicle inventory tax. The location will also issue marriage licenses through the County Clerk's office.

It will feature two kiosk workstations, one for the County Clerk's office to assist with obtaining deed records, and the other for the District Clerk's office to provide court record information and other services. The $2.8 million facility will be built on 1.3 acres formerly the site of the Southmost water tower, demolished in 2018. The Brownsville Independent School District and the city of Brownsville donated the land to the county. The Southmost location will make the third assessor-collector site in Brownsville.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. said the county has managed to open two new locations, in Harlingen and San Benito, and break ground on the Southmost location in the span of just two years.

"I want to thank our Tax Assessor-Collector, Mr. Tony Yzaguirre Jr., for working diligently in expanding locations and offering services with the convenience of drive-through lanes to best serve our constituency," he said.

Yzaguirre said construction of the new tax office will achieve his office's goal of serving Southmost residents directly.

"After more than three years the Southmost area will have access to our services closer to home," he said. "We are thrilled that our plans are finally materializing and will ease our overburdened main office in downtown Brownsville."