The Accounting Department has the overall responsibility for all accounting and finance matters relating to the City.  This responsibility is discharged in accordance with the federal and state regulations, the City Charter, Ordinances enacted by the City Commission, directives from the City Manager, and consistent with Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards as established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.  Specifically this responsibility includes but is not limited to:

• Accounting control over the automated financial system, including systems development.

• Active cash and investment management.

• Supervising accounts receivable, cash receipts, accounts payable, cash disbursements, payroll, special assessments, and licensing.

• Debt administration.

• Budgeting, including publication of the Official Annual Budget Document.

• Reporting, including the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Interim Financial Reports on a monthly basis, and the Capital Projects Status Reports.

• Internal and administrative control.

• Staff support for the following boards appointed by the City Commission:  The Development Corporation of Harlingen, Inc. Fund Firemen's' Relief and Retirement Fund Tax Advisory Board

• Support to the Health Insurance Fund on matters of financial and/or accounting significance.

• Supervision of the Vital Statistics Department, Data Processing Department, Municipal Court, Purchasing Department and the Warehouse.

• Preparing requests for Proposal, analyzing the Proposals and recommending awarding of contracts to the City Commission for the following:  Contract for Banking Services ( Depository Agreement); Contract for Collection of Current Property Taxes and Delinquent Property Taxes; Contract for Professional Auditing Services.

• Planning, coordinating and participating in the client side of the Annual Financial Audit performed by Independent CPA's in a manner to achieve cost containment/savings.

• Tax Assessor Function, including the calculation and publication of the Effective Tax Rate/Rollback Rate/Notice & Hearing Limit Rate, including compliance with "Truth in Taxation" Laws  and other matters pertaining thereto.

• Relating with the Harlingen Tax Office administered by the United Government Services of America, Inc.

• Other Property Tax Matters, including fielding calls from taxpayers regarding complaints and /or information on how the Texas Property Tax System works.

• Administrating Industrial District Agreements (Non-Annexation Agreement), including determining and billing for Payments in Lieu of Taxes.

2004 Property Tax Rates in City of Harlingen

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Office Phone #: (956) 427-8710

E-Mail Address:   dosteen@myharlingen.us

Historical Information:
Feb. 2004 - Sept. 2004     Texas Market Tire,  Key Area Ledger - Financial Analysis
Sept. 1994 - Feb. 2004     Energy Education Inc.,  Vice-President
1988 - 1994                      Texas Tech University,  Audit Manager Internal Audit
                                       College of Engineering,  Coordinator Research Business Affairs                  

1982 - 1988                     City of Lubbock,  Staff Auditor Budget Analyst, General Fund Accountant
 

Hobbies:  Reading, Films, Music, Biking