Williamson Central Appraisal District
Board of Directors Meeting
Jon Lux, Chairman, called the regular meeting of the Williamson Central Appraisal District Board of Directors to order Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 9:00 AM. Board members present; Jon Lux, Harry Gibbs, Lora Weber, Hope Hisle-Piper, Mason Moses, and Larry Gaddes. Quorum declared.
Some of the District’s management staff were in attendance.
Pledges of Allegiance
Receipt of Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Taxpayer Liaison Officer’s Report
Report on Property Owner Contacts
Glenda Williams, the District’s Taxpayer Liaison Officer (TLO), was present to report on the status of her contact with property owners. She reviewed the calls she had received indicating that all had been resolved.
Update on Appointment of Appraisal Review Board Members by Administrative Law Judge
Williams also commented regarding the appointment of the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) by the Administrative Law Judge. It was indicated that Judge Lambeth had appointed the 2023 ARB members and that the District was working to get training scheduled and the oath of office administered. It was indicated that one additional full-time member and one additional alternate member were appointed.
Consent / Possible Action Items
The consent agenda includes non-controversial and routine items that the Board may act on with one single vote. Any Board member may pull any item from the consent agenda in order that the Board discuss and act upon it individually as part of the regular agenda.
Consent Agenda Items:
Approval of Minutes of the Board of Directors for the regular meeting – January 12, 2023
Monthly Financials
Quarterly Investment Report
Quarterly Taxing Unit Payments
The monthly financials and quarterly investment report were provided to the members.
Mason moved to approve the above listed items on the consent agenda. Weber seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Executive session began at 9:20 AM. The Board returned to open session at 9:36 AM.
The Board recessed at 9:36 AM, and returned to open session at 9:39 AM.
Chief Appraiser Evaluation Goals Update
Consideration and possible action on items discussed in Executive Session
Chief Appraiser Evaluation Goals Update
Weber made a motion to approve the updated goals for the Chief Appraiser. Moses seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Annual Review of Contracts
A listing of the District’s contracts were included in the Board’s packet. Lankford indicated that these contracts had each previously been approved by the Board.
No motion was made.
Concealed / Open Carry Signage
Lankford informed the Board that he had spoken with one of the District’s attorney’s, Chris Jackson, regarding signage concerning firearms concealed and open carry. He reminded the Board that constitutional carry had been signed into law; removing the requirement for individuals to have a license in order to carry a handgun. Lankford informed the Board that, once he knows the Boards wishes for public meetings, he would update the District’s signage appropriately.
Moses made a motion to approve Board meeting attendance rules for possession of firearms as follows: No open carry of firearms, concealed carry is acceptable.
Hisle-Piper seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Lankford mentioned that the Appraisal Review Board would need to make a decision regarding the carrying of firearms for their open meetings.
Chief Appraiser’s Report
WCAD Initiatives
Lankford displayed the District’s website and announced that the first Nextdoor article had been posted for residents of Williamson County. He noted that the market value of properties had increased greatly, while a large number of the property tax bills had decreased. Lankford expressed his appreciation to those within the office who had worked on this project.
Lankford also provided the Board an update on the District’s electric generator, indicating that because of supply chain issues, there had been a delay on receiving the appropriate equipment.
Community Care Fundraising
Lankford announced that a soup tasting fundraiser was being organized by this month’s Community Care Committee. He invited the Board to participate in this event.
WCAD Entity Meeting
Lankford announced that the District’s annual Entity Meeting would take place on Thursday, March 30th at 8 AM. He explained that property values would be reviewed, and individual value results provided to each entity in attendance.
TAAD Conference Reminder
Lankford reminded the Board of the upcoming Texas Association of Appraisal Districts Conference. He announced that Gibbs would be presenting during a session on Chief Appraiser succession planning, along with two other long-standing Board of Director members from other counties.
Family Events for Employees and Board Members Reminder
Lankford provided the Board one last reminder regarding the previously discussed donation to the employee recognition fund. He indicated that the donation amount for this year was $20.
Lawsuit, Arbitration and SOAH Reports
Lankford reviewed the lawsuit and arbitration reports. There were no State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) on which to report. He reviewed some changes made to the document; indicating that the summary as well as settled lawsuits were included in the first pages of the report. He inquired with the Board about possibly only providing the summary monthly and then the full report quarterly. The Board members agreed.
Board Agenda Additions for Future Meeting
The Board had no agenda additions for future meetings.
Board Announcements
There were no Board announcements.
The Board had already set their next meeting dates as follows:
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- Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 9 AM
- Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 9 AM
- Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 9 AM
Lankford announced that Board meeting dates through the end of the year would be discussed at the next meeting.
The regular meeting adjourned at 10:13 AM.
Respectfully,
Jon Lux, Chairman Lora H. Weber, Secretary