Williamson Central Appraisal District
Board of Directors Meeting
Downloadable PDF Minutes of April 11, 2024
Jon Lux, Chairman, called the regular meeting of the Williamson Central Appraisal District Board of Directors to order Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 9:00 AM. Board members present: Jon Lux, Lora Weber, Hope Hisle-Piper, Harry Gibbs, Michael Wei, 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, was present to report on the status of her contact with property owners. Williams reported receiving various correspondence from property owners with questions and inquiries.
2025 Budget Workshop
2025 Budget Review
Lankford reviewed the 2025 budget calendar with the Board, along with some statistical information. Gaddes mentioned that Williamson County currently has 135 entities that are taxing. Lankford indicated that proposing raises for staff would be a bit different this year, since the budget was being presented earlier than usual and the taxing units will not have determined their salary increases. He informed the Board that he would be proposing a 3%, 4%, and 5% increase for their consideration. He also mentioned the use of technology that has continued to make the District’s processes more efficient.
Lankford informed the Board of the need of adding a Litigation Department. He mentioned that hiring a Member Appraisal Institute (MAI) appraiser will keep the District from having to obtain as many outside fee appraisal services. He also mentioned the need for one additional Land appraiser. Lankford informed the Board that he was not proposing another cost-of-living adjustment like was given in 2023 for the 2024 budget.
Lankford discussed the paid time off (PTO) buyback program, which the Board had considered previously for 20-plus year employees, indicating that he would like to add two weeks for those employees between 10 and 19 years of service. He reminded the members that this keeps staff from building up their time off hours.
Lankford informed the Board that the District’s health insurance would be discussed at the May Board Meeting when the District’s consultants plan to be in attendance. He also mentioned insurance for retirees indicating that he would like to propose providing this insurance up to the age of 65.
Lankford indicated that he was proposing for those with between 10 and 19 years of service, the District would cover 50% percent of their health insurance until the age of 65. For those with 20 years of service or more, the District would cover 100% of their health insurance. Lankford mentioned other government offices who have adopted similar programs including Williamson County.
Lankford informed the Board that a representative from the District’s retirement provider, Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS), would be present at the May Board Meeting to discuss retirement rates. He also mentioned a possible cost-of-living increase for retirees. He indicated that historically the District would consider this increase every three years; however, with the inflation seen recently, this might be something the Board would like to consider.
Lankford discussed the Board of Director public election and mentioned decreasing the line item in the District’s 2025 budget to half of what it was in 2024. He then proposed having the District save the amount for the public election in 2025 in a reserve account to be combined with what is budgeted for 2026. Discussion followed.
Building Short Lived Items
Lankford reminded the Board that the District had started setting aside monies for items around the building that would need to be replaced. He mentioned that he would be requesting for the Board’s approval to replace two of the District’s heating and air conditioning (HVAC) units at an estimated cost of $35,000.
Major Equipment Replacement items
Lanford explained to the members that the District also sets aside funds for major equipment items that the District anticipates will need to be replaced. He mentioned an estimated cost of $37,437 to replace backup storage servers and the District’s UPS system.
Consider approval of minutes of the Board of Directors for the regular meeting – March 14, 2024.
Hisle-Piper made a motion to approve the March 14, 2024 minutes as presented. Weber seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration of Monthly Financials
The February 2024 financials and expenditures were reviewed and filed for audit.
Building Short Lived Items
Weber moved for approval of two additional HVAC units at an estimated cost of $35,000 total to be spent from the Building reserves. Hisle-Piper seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Major Equipment Replacement Items
Hisle-Piper made a motion to replace two backup storage devices and disconnect the extended UPS at an estimated total of $37,437 to be spent from the Technology Short Lived reserve account. Wei seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Chief Appraiser’s Report
Appraisal Review Board Hearing Procedures
Lankford informed the Board that the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) Hearing Procedures did not require the Board’s approval; however, they do need to be presented to the Board. Mary Bonnette, the ARB Chair, indicated that the Comptroller had asked for expanded language on the procedures. This verbiage was added and has been approved by the Comptroller’s office.
The selection of the ARB was discussed. Lankford informed the Board that this item would come before them later in the year. He also mentioned that it was required that two of the three publicly elected Board members approve the selections. He suggested having a subcommittee of the Board choose the ARB members and to involve some of the publicly elected members. Bonnette suggested an interview process for this selection. Lux requested this item be added to the Board’s next agenda to begin discussions.
Pictometry Change Finder Return on Investment
Lankford discussed the process used by the District’s change detection provider. He mentioned that Pictometry identifies changes of 100 square feet or more. Discussion followed.
Lankford reviewed the return on investment calculated for this year’s change detection. He mentioned a total project cost of $155,495, but that in just the first year the total estimated taxes gained were $1.2 million and that this project was showing an 807% return on investment.
Gibbs commented on the innovative processes that the District had integrated which he felt made it one of, if not, the top in the State.
WCAD Presentations
Lankford indicated that since the Board last met, he and Gaddes had recorded a video with the Cummings Team which was yet to be published. Gaddes and Lankford also presented to realtors with Coldwell Banker providing a presentation explaining the job of the two different offices, the tax office and the Appraisal District.
Lankford also presented on the same subject to the Kiwanis Club of Taylor. Aaron Moore, the District’s Director of Appraisal, presented to a group of realtors for RE/MAX in Cedar Park. Lankford indicated that he and Bonnette, the ARB Chair, were invited by former state representatives to a property tax committee meeting where mass appraisal was discussed. Discussion followed.
WCAD Initiatives
Lankford displayed the District’s website; discussing the resources located there. He reviewed the market analysis page located within the details of each property. This page includes information pertaining to what the media’s been saying about the marketplace, what happened in Williamson County this year, changing market conditions and using comparable sales. Lankford expressed his hope that property owners would take advantage of their exemptions and participate in taxing unit budget hearings. He also mentioned that this year a map of the equity comparables had also been included.
WCAD Entity Meeting
Lankford indicated that the recent Entity Meeting held at the District had been very well attended with a total of 66 attendees. He explained that, during this meeting, property values in the County are reviewed. He also was excited to share that this year all statistical information was provided using Power BI, a unified platform for self-service. This will allow the entities to utilize statistics in areas of Williamson County to see how their entity compares to other taxing units. They also will be able to create their own reports. Lankford reported that this information would be provided on the Entity Portal located on the District’s website when it was available.
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.
Board Agenda Additions for Future Meeting
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- ARB Subcommittee Meeting
Board Announcements
Wei informed the Board that he would not be available to attend the June 13th Board Meeting. The were no other Board announcements.
The Board had previously set the following meeting dates:
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- Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
- Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM.