Williamson Central Appraisal District
Board of Directors Meeting
Downloadable PDF Minutes of March 14, 2024
Lora Weber, Vice Chairperson, called the regular meeting of the Williamson Central Appraisal District Board of Directors to order Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 9:00 AM. Board members present: Lora Weber, Hope Hisle-Piper, Harry Gibbs, and Michael Wei. Quorum declared. Jon Lux and Larry Gaddes were absent.
Some of the District’s management staff were in attendance.
Pledges of Allegiance
Receipt of Public Comments
Lankford mentioned the solar eclipse which would be taking place on April 8th. He announced that some Appraisal Districts in the path of the eclipse were planning to close their offices on this date. He indicated that he did not see the need to close the District’s office. He announced that solar eclipse glasses had been purchased and lunch would be provided for staff members in order to take precautions in keeping them safe from the expected increase in number of visitors to the area. Lankford indicated that Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearings would not be scheduled during the two-hour window of the eclipse.
Taxpayer Liaison Officer’s Report
Report on Property Owner Contacts
Glenda Williams, the District’s Taxpayer Liaison Officer, was present to report on the status of her contact with property owners.
Consider approval of minutes of the Board of Directors for the regular meeting – February 8, 2024.
Gibbs made a motion to approve the February 8, 2024, minutes as presented. Hisle-Piper seconded. The motion carried.
Consideration of Monthly Financials
The January 2024 financials and expenditures were reviewed and filed for audit.
Publicly Elected Board of Director Members
Lankford discussed the public board election calendar. He informed the Board that the terms of office for them as entity elected members would be changing and reviewed the dates associated with the election. He announced that the current members would continue to serve their one-year term until the end of this year.
In May of 2024, a general election will be held for the three publicly elected members. This will change the make up to a nine-member Board, and Larry Gaddes, as the Tax Assessor Collector, will now become a voting member. On July 1, 2024, three new members will take office for a 2½-year term which will expire on December 31, 2026.
In December of 2024, the taxing units will appoint five members, two of those members will serve a 1-year term and three members will serve a 3-year term. The taxing units will need to decide which of the two members they will want to serve which terms. Lankford reviewed the timeline and terms for both elected and appointed board members. At the January Board meeting, those three elected members will draw lots for one member to serve 2-year terms and two members to serve 4-year terms.
Lankford announced that the ballot drawing had been conducted and that four of the six individuals running on the ballot were in attendance. He explained the process taken for the attendees to draw cards and mentioned that a card was drawn for those not in attendance. Lankford indicated that the order of the ballot had been sent to the Elections office and that he would be reviewing the digital ballot proof next week.
Lankford discussed that the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts (TAAD) Legislative Committee had sent a survey to approximately 50 Appraisal Districts who fell within the populous counties who were in the election process. He reminded the Board that if an Appraisal District had only one person running for each place, that Appraisal District was able to cancel their election. Lankford announced that of the respondents, 16 Appraisal Districts were having an election and 26 were able to cancel. He indicated that these numbers may change in the future as people become more familiar with this process.
No motion was necessary.
Annual Review of Contracts
Lankford reminded the members that the review of the District’s contracts was being brought back to them per a previous request by Wei to include a description of each item listed.
No motion was necessary.
2025 Budget Calendar Review
Lankford announced that the 2025 budget calendar had been modified moving deadline dates. He reviewed the process and indicated that he would prefer getting the new Board members involved at the next budget cycle. Lankford announced that the budget would be finalized at the Board’s meeting on June 13th. He expressed the importance of having a quorum of the Board present on this date.
Lankford reviewed the new budget calendar dates. He mentioned that the first budget workshop would be held on April 11th. The full budget will be reviewed by Lankford at this meeting. Lankford indicated the importance of a quorum at the Board’s May 9th meeting, as this will be the date of the approval of the proposed budget.
No motion was necessary.
Chief Appraiser’s Report
Appraisal Review Board Hearing Procedures
Lankford announced that the Comptroller had sent an update to the Appraisal Review Board Hearing Procedures document. This item was postponed until the Board’s next meeting.
Notice of Appraised Value
Lankford displayed the 2024 Notice of Appraised Value (NOAV). He reviewed the changes that had been made to this document since last year. He indicated that in years past, a postcard had been sent to property owners notifying them of the database with their property information. Lankford indicated that recent legislation had done away with this postcard.
This information is now required to be included on the NOAV and advertised through the local newspaper. Lankford reminded the Board that the District must set the property values to match the local real estate market and that the State of Texas audits this information; however, the rate that is multiplied is able to be adjusted by the local taxing entities. He announced that the tax rate website includes information on the dates, times and places of the rate hearings.
Lankford discussed the 20% cap on non-homesteaded real properties, also known as the circuit breaker limitation, which was another item brought on by new legislation. Any real property valued at $5 million or less will benefit from this limitation. He announced that this would have very little impact on most properties because the values do not generally increase by this amount. Weber mentioned including an explanation on the NOAV regarding this item.
Board Member Property Verification
Lankford informed the members that each year, the District asks that Board members review any properties they own in Williamson County to ensure the information the District has is accurate and that the facts about the property are correct.
WCAD Entity Meeting Reminder
Lankford reminded the Board of the upcoming Entity Meeting, which was scheduled for Tuesday, April 2nd at the District’s office. He asked that members notify him as soon as possible if they plan to attend.
2024 TAAD Conference
Lankford discussed the recent TAAD Conference and mentioned that each year, Colleen McElroy, the District’s Administrative Office Manager, attends the Board of Directors breakout sessions. These sessions are presented explaining the duties of the Board. McElroy notes any items for possible Board Policy changes. These adjustments to the policy are then made and presented back to the Board for approval.
Lankford indicated that the new public elections process would be included in this Policy. He announced that all changes to the Board’s Policy were in the process of being reviewed.
Lawsuit, Arbitration, and SOAH Reports
Lankford reviewed the lawsuit, binding arbitration and SOAH reports. There were no State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) on which to report.
Community Care Fundraising
Lankford reminded the Board that, as a public entity, the District cannot use funds to recognize events in employee’s or Board member lives. The District also cannot give its funds back to the local community; therefore, the Community Care Committee was formed. Lankford announced the District’s yearly goal of raising $3,000. He indicated that past funds have been provided to organizations such as Hounds for Heroes and CASA of Williamson County.
The Community Care Committee’s fundraising for the month of March was mentioned. Lankford discussed that generally members of each month’s committee donate items.
Board Agenda Additions for Future Meeting
There were no agenda additions discussed for future meetings.
Board Announcements
Wei informed the Board that he would be out of the county at the end of May but hoped to be able to attend the June Board Meeting. The Board had no other announcements.
The Board had previously set the following meeting dates:
- Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM
- Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 8:00 AM
- Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM