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MySA.com: Business

Bexar Appraisal District says the case comes down to fairness. Valero Energy Corp., which filed suit against the appraisal district, says the appraiser can’t back up its analysis of taxes it claims the refiner owes.

The fight isn’t over the real estate of Valero’s Bexar County convenience stores, but the personal property within the stores – “gas pumps, canopies…walk-in coolers, hot dog roller(s) – everything that is in that store, including the spearmint gum,” said Assistant Chief Appraiser Mary Kieke.

The year in dispute is 2002, when Valero Energy Corp. bought Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, including its convenience stores. Once Valero started getting tax bills, Valero lawyer Dario Bargas told jurors, the company began inquiring how BAD arrived at the tax amount, and BAD replied that there were no documents to back up its valuations.

“I believe you will find that … Bexar County, unfortunately, didn’t do their homework,” he said, adding that “it may be hard for you to accept some of these numbers,” but Bargas believes the company’s expert will be able to explain them.

But Robert Mott, arguing for the appraisal district, said Valero, a publicly traded company, knows “good and well what they paid for that inventory,” and that’s what defines fair market value.

But Valero really wants to make a difference in the community.

Valero : Community Involvement

We’ve made it our mission to make a difference in the communities where our employees live and work. One way we’ve done that is by providing financial support to a wide range of nonprofit organizations in all of our communities

I guess only if it’s tax deductible.

Technorati Tags: Bexar County Appraisal District, Valero, Valero Energy Corp., property taxes, BAD, San Antonio, corporate citizenship, Dario Bargas, Mary Kieke

Filed under: BAD, Bexar County Appraisal District, Dario Bargas, Mary Kieke, San Antonio, Valero, Valero Energy Corp, corporate citizenship, property taxes