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, January 12, 2023, at 9:08 AM. Board members present; Jon Lux, Lora Weber, Hope Hisle-Piper, and Larry Gaddes. Harry Gibbs attended virtually. Mason Moses was absent. Quorum declared.
Some of the District’s management staff were in attendance.
Pledges of Allegiance
Election of Officers
Weber made a motion to nominate Lux to serve as the Board Chairperson. Hisle-Piper seconded. The motion carried.
Weber made a motion to nominate Gibbs to serve as Vice Chairperson. Hisle-Piper seconded. The motion carried.
Lux made a motion to nominate Weber to serve as Board Secretary. Hisle-Piper seconded. The motion carried.
Receipt of Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Employee of the Year Recognition
Lankford announced that the District’s 2022 Employees of the Year had been named. He indicated that the District generally chooses one staff member from the Appraisal Department and one from the Operations side of the business. He introduced Valerie Brumley who had been named from the District’s Appraisal Department. Lankford indicated that Brumley was doing an outstanding job and that she is always willing to assist wherever needed.
Lankford also introduced Candace Paschall who had been named the Employee of the Year on the operations side of the business. Lankford indicated that Paschall was one of the friendliest people, and that her great attitude and work with the public had gotten her many Google five-star reviews.
Taxpayer Liaison Officer’s Report
Report on Property Owner Contacts
Glenda Williams, the District’s newly appointed Taxpayer Liaison Officer (TLO), was present to report on the status of her contact with property owners. Williams reported that she had a few calls that needed attention. She reviewed her contact with property owners.
Gaddes inquired about the tracking of complaints to be reported to the Comptroller’s office. Williams indicated that the report she believed Gaddes was referring to pertained to complaints regarding the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).
Update on Appointment of Appraisal Review Board by Administrative Law Judge
Williams also commented regarding the appointment of the ARB by the Administrative Law Judge. She indicated that, on January 4th, she had been in contact with the Judge’s office requesting updated information and that she was still awaiting word on any updates. It was mentioned that the District did not officially have an ARB, nor did it have an ARB chairperson, and that the required training for these members would be needed soon.
Consider approval of minutes of the Board of Directors for the regular meetings – November 10, 2022 and November 17, 2022.
Weber made a motion to approve both the November 10, 2022 and the November 17, 2022 minutes as presented. Hisle-Piper seconded. The motion carried.
Consideration of Monthly Financials & Quarterly Investment Report
The October and November 2022 financials and expenditures were reviewed and filed for audit.
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Lankford announced that each year the Comptroller requires appraisal districts to have an Agricultural Advisory Committee, which advises on the appraisal and use of agricultural land. He indicated that each of the current advisory.members had been part of the committee previously and were willing to serve again. The current members are as follows; James Davidson, Gene Lawhon, Wilbert Vorwerk, Billy Carlson, and Mark Prinz.
Weber made a motion to approve the listing of Agricultural Advisory Committee members as they were presented. Hisle-Piper seconded. The motion carried.
2023 TAAD Conference and Voting Delegate
Lankford reminded the Board of the Texas Association of Appraisal District’s (TAAD) Conference taking place in Dallas, February 19th through 22nd. He asked that the members let him know if they would be interested in attending.
Lankford also discussed naming a voting delegate for the Conference. He indicated that each year, during the Conference, new TAAD leadership is voted upon.
Hisle-Piper moved to designate Alvin Lankford as the 2023 TAAD voting delegate and Chris Connelly as the alternate. Weber seconded. The motion carried.
Chief Appraiser’s Report WCAD Presentations
Lankford mentioned the annual Orion User’s Group Meeting which generally takes place at the District’s office. This meeting, where other Texas appraisal district’s using Orion software, discuss development ideas had occurred recently. Lankford announced that there had been discussion to provide a priority list for the coming year to the District’s appraisal vendor.
IAAO Election Update
Lankford announced that he was now officially a Board member for IAAO (International Association of Assessing Officers). He indicated that there would be a number of out of state meetings each year, and that these generally occur once a quarter. He will be serving a three-year term.
Community Care Fundraising
Lankford indicated that the Community Care fundraising had been placed on the Board’s agenda in order to include the Board in raising funds for the community. He reminded the members that the District raises money throughout the year and these funds are distributed back to the community at the end of each calendar year.
Family Events for Employees and Board Members
Lankford also reminded the Board of the Employee Recognition Committee. This committee is responsible for recognizing events in employee’s lives. He reminded the members that District funds are not allowed to be used for these events and therefore employees donate money to this fund. Lankford expressed his appreciation to the Board for their donation to help recognize these events.
WCAD Social Media Officer
Lankford indicated that, although the District had attempted to stay away from social media advertising, he felt it was becoming more necessary.He announced that the District had recently gained a Nextdoor account, and that this, along with any Facebook posts would be addressed by the District’s Social Media Officer. Lankford announced that the District had named Jamie Radke, the Customer Service Manager, to this position.
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 indicated that future reports would include the monthly summary at the beginning of the report instead of the end.
Recess for Construction Tour
Lankford announced that a few areas of construction within the District’s building had been completed. The Board recessed their meeting at 9:40 AM. to tour these areas. The meeting was reopened at 9:48 AM.
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 date as follows: Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 9 AM.
The following meeting dates were also set:
- Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 9 AM.
- Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 9 AM.
- Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 9 AM.
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:53 PM.
Respectfully,
Jon Lux, Chairman Lora H. Weber, Secretary