Williamson Central Appraisal District
Board of Directors Meeting
Downloadable PDF Minutes of November 20, 2023
Jon Lux, Chairman, called the regular meeting of the Williamson Central Appraisal District Board of Directors to order Monday, November 20, 2023, at 9:10 AM. Board members present: Jon Lux, Lora Weber, Mason Moses, and Larry Gaddes. Harry Gibbs attended virtually. Hope Hisle-Piper was absent. 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.
Update on Appointment of Appraisal Review Board Members by Administrative Law Judge
Williams also reported on the appointment of the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) members by the Administrative Law Judge. She indicated that applications had been delivered to the judge’s office on October 24th. Williams informed the Board that a meeting with the judge’s office had taken place regarding applicant appointments. She reviewed the number of applicants needed to fill the positions and indicated that she expected the final list from the judge in the coming days.
Executive Session began at 9:18 AM and ended at 10:10 AM
The Board recessed at 10:10 AM and returned to open session at 10:13 AM
Chief Appraiser Evaluation & Consideration of Stipend Questions
Chief Appraiser Compensation
Chief Appraiser Contract
Consideration and possible action on items discussed in Executive Session
Chief Appraiser Compensation
Moses moved to approve a new base salary for the Chief Appraiser of $214,000 with a 5% performance pay based on his 2023 salary. This performance pay will be a one-time payment per the Chief Appraiser contract as discussed in executive session. Weber seconded. The motion carried.
Executive Session began at 10:14 AM and ended at 10:26 AM
The Board returned to open session at 10:27 AM
Chief Appraiser Contract
Weber moved to approve the Chief Appraiser contract as discussed in executive session. Moses seconded. The motion carried.
Lankford informed the Board that the final attorney expenses for the contract would be presented to them at their January Board meeting.
Chief Appraiser Evaluation & Consideration of Stipend Questions
Lux asked that Lankford communicate which questions will go towards the Chief Appraiser stipend to Colleen McElroy, the District’s Administrative Office Manager, in order to update the evaluation form. There was no motion made.
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 – October 11, 2023
Approval of Minutes of the Board of Directors for the regular meeting – October 24, 2023
Monthly Financials for September 2023 Quarterly Investment Report
Quarterly Taxing Unit Payments
Moses moved to approve the above listed items on the consent agenda. Weber seconded. The motion carried.
Chief Appraiser’s Report
2023 Top Workplace
Lankford announced that the Austin American Statesman had awarded the District a 2023 Top Workplace. He wanted to formally thank the management team for the outstanding job they had done with staff.
Street Level Imagery
Lankford discussed CycloMedia Technology a company that provides street level images for the District. He indicated that they should complete their drive by the end of the year.
Change Finder Return on Investment
Lankford mentioned the aerial photography the District uses to study current year aerials to the prior year in order to conduct a comparison. He announced that the taxes gained from this project were showing to be $1.5 million which equates to a 1,095% return on investment. Gaddes mentioned a slight change to the tax rate.
WCAD Presentations
Lankford informed the Board that he had presented at the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT). He indicated that those in attendance were mainly city finance staff throughout the state of Texas who were very complimentary of the District. He announced that he had spoken regarding taxing unit relations.
Board of Directors Election Update
Lankford informed the members that if they chose to run for the public Board election, they must file by February 16, 2024. He announced that he had not yet heard back from the Elections Administrator regarding additional information. Gaddes announced that there was a $400 filing fee. This election will be held in May and the elected officials will begin serving in July of 2024.
2024 TAAD Conference
Lankford announced that the 2024 Texas Association of Appraisal Districts (TAAD) Conference would be held at the Marriott Marquis in Houston February 18-21, 2024. He hoped Board members would consider attending.
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 announced that, due to the extreme increase in the number of lawsuits, the District would be adding to this budget category. He added that the District would need to add hire a Member Appraisal Institute (MAI) appraiser to write lawsuit reports.
Community Care Fundraiser
Lankford thanked the Board for their participation in the previous Community Care fundraisers. These funds are collected throughout the year and given back to the community at the end of each year.
WCAD Christmas Party Reminder
Lankford reminded the Board of the District’s upcoming Christmas Party. This event will take place on the evening of December 2nd at the American Legion Hall in Round Rock.
Chief Appraiser Evaluation
The Board returned to this earlier agenda item.
Weber made a motion to approve the Chief Appraiser evaluation as presented. Moses seconded. The motion carried.
Board Agenda Additions for Future Meetings
There were no additions for future Board meetings discussed.
Board Announcements
There were no Board announcements.
The Board had previously set the following meeting date:
- Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM
The Board discussed that a December meeting would not be necessary.
The regular meeting adjourned at 10:53 AM.
Respectfully,
Lora H. Weber, Vice Chairman Hope Hisle-Piper, Secretary