County to send letter to governor-- Officials say changes in oil, gas calculations will impact property tax rolls Jun 17, 2009
Willy Dilworth, chief appraiser with Washington County Tax Appraisal District, said Washington County won t be impacted as severely as he initially suspected ... The tax code dealing with appraisal methods is rife with legal jargon: The comptroller shall calculate the preceding calendar year actual statewide average prices for oil and gas and publish that information to be used for ad valorem tax appraisal purposes concurrently with the current calendar year statewide average prices for revenue... (Brenham Banner, TX)
Video helps homeowners protest property appraisals Jun 5, 2009
A new slide show on the Texas Comptroller s Web site can help homeowners who are protesting their property tax appraisals ... To view the narrated slide show and read more information about the property tax appraisal and appeal process, visit the comptroller s Web site at. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Opposes appraisal increase (64) May 27, 2009
I just received a ridiculous tax appraisal statement from the Kendall County AD for 2009. It is a 23,000 + (41 percent) increase. (Boerne Star, TX)
Tax assessments drop in five major counties May 25, 2009
His local nonprofit did a study earlier this year of values in high-foreclosure neighborhoods across the five major metro counties and found the sales prices were often a fraction of their tax appraisals. The study found median sales prices in three high-foreclosure ZIP codes in south DeKalb were on average 57 percent of the tax appraisal. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
County gets grant for clinic-- Commissioners to discuss accepting old police station Apr 5, 2009
Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. in the Washington County Tax Appraisal offices at 1301 Niebuhr St. The meeting was moved there because of repair work on air conditioning ducts and valves in the courthouse. The county has received a 235,500 community development grant from the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) to help renovate what was once the Brenham police station on Chappell Hill Street. (Brenham Banner, TX)
County meets in leaky room to handle short agenda Apr 1, 2009
Morgan also said that next Tuesday s meeting will be moved from the regular courthouse meeting room to the Washington County Tax Appraisal District s offices at 1301 Niebuhr Street because repairs are expected to be under way in the courthouse. That meeting, she said, is expected to include a full agenda, so you might as well pack a lunch. (Brenham Banner, TX)
Complaints about appraisal board heard Feb 24, 2009
Charles Thielemann appeared before Washington County Commissioners Court today to complain about actions of the Washington County Tax Appraisal District board of directors. Thielemann alleged that board member William H. Neinast falsely signed a 2005 application for agricultural appraisal on land that was inherited by his children and was ordered to pay back taxes on land that was not actually used for agriculture. (Brenham Banner, TX)
Three Sentenced for Defrauding Eastman Kodak Company Feb 20, 2009
On May 20, 2008, after a ten-week trial, a jury convicted Nicolo and Finnman with defrauding Eastman Kodak Company, IBM, Global Crossing, ITT Industries, Inc. and the taxpayers of Greece, N.Y., in connection with several real property tax appraisal and assessment schemes. Nicolo and Roeder were also convicted of numerous tax fraud counts. (PR Newswire)
Victims From Killing Spree Remembered Feb 20, 2009
R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens. Friday February 20, 2009. (R News)
Nicolo Gets 12 Years in Prison Feb 20, 2009
Thursday was sentencing day for three key players in the tax appraisal kickback scheme involving the Town of Greece, Kodak and a number of other companies ... Thursday was sentencing day for three key players in the tax appraisal kickback scheme involving the Town of Greece, Kodak and a number of other companies. (R News)
MCISD honors high achievers Feb 19, 2009
In new business, Larry Krum now, chief appraiser from the Madison County Tax Appraisal District, reported that MCISD is out of compliance in the area of property values. The state requires that property values be appraised at 95-105 percent of the values it estimates. (Madisonville Meteor, TX)
Lawmakers receive govs emergency list (141) Feb 13, 2009
In the absence of any limitation, the property tax appraisal values for Texas businesses can increase substantially from year to year. Callegari said, for example, one business in his district reported a 67 percent tax increase over one year. (Boerne Star, TX)
Commissioners will consider security fence for fairgrounds property Mar 30, 2008
Washington County commissioners court will lead off its 9 a.m. Tuesday meeting being held in the Washington County Tax Appraisal District s conference room, 1301 Niebuhr St. with consideration of a bid for chain link fencing for the fairgrounds property. Two remaining action items on a brief agenda, other than the weekly handling of accounts payable, will both involve Emergency Medical Services equipment and staffing requirements. (Brenham Banner, TX)
County approves insurance consultant Mar 26, 2008
Because of a runoff in a single Democratic Party primary race for State Railroad Commissioner Courthouse Room 103 will be in use for early voting March 31-April 4 and next Tuesday s 9 a.m. commissioners court meeting will be moved to the Washington County Tax Appraisal District conference room, 1301 Niebuhr St.. Also, a 10 a.m. groundbreaking for the new EMS building, 1700 block of U.S. 290 West, is being planned at that site immediately following that regular session of the court. (Brenham Banner, TX)
County to advertise for jail addition bids Mar 5, 2008
After this deadline is reached, commissioners court will have a special meeting at 2:30 p.m. in the Washington County Tax Appraisal District conference room, 1301 Niebuhr Street, for the official opening of bids. Architect Joe Santopetro today submitted additional changes required by the Texas Jail Commission to the court, noting a vestibule area will be added for further security to a 24-bed female prisoner complex. (Brenham Banner, TX)
Brenham trustees to hold special meeting Mar 1, 2008
Our attorneys and Willy Dilworth (Washington County Tax Appraisal District chief appraiser) are just going to review everything that has anything to do with taxation and litigation, said Yeager. There s always some pending litigation to collect back taxes, he added, and that due to the discussion about litigation, this has to be done in closed session. (Brenham Banner, TX)
County preparing to sell unused land Feb 13, 2008
Commissioner Earl Perry and County Finance Director Carl Rowland have taken on the project of developing a complete inventory of county-owned properties, with help from the tax appraisal office. Perry said he was aware right after he came on the board that the county owned a good number of properties, but he didn't how many. (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Williams tapped to lead charge on property appraisal relief Feb 10, 2008
This subcommittee will be charged with reviewing the property tax appraisal system and recommending reforms to the next Legislature in 2009. In 2005, Williams authored SB 18, a truth in taxation bill requiring all taxing authorities to have public hearings on any increase in taxes, a record vote on any increase, and requiring that all tax bills have a five-year detailed history of taxes paid on the property. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Texas Senate has homework before the next session Jan 31, 2008
Two of his key issues are left over from the last regular session in 2007 new limits on annual property tax appraisals and new caps on how much property taxes can be increased without voter approval ... The Senate Finance Committee was instructed to "study the benefits and limitations of property tax appraisal caps compared to a limit on revenue a local jurisdiction can receive without the approval of voters in the locality." ... Property tax appraisal caps and limits on tax increases without... (KHOU.com, TX)
Commissioners to consider lifting county’s burn ban Jan 27, 2008
Also, the need has arisen to change the commissioners court s meeting place for the next five weeks with the Washington County Tax Appraisal District s meeting room, 1301 Niebuhr St., chosen as the alternate location. Because of the remodeling of County Judge Dorothy Morgan s office, her day-to-day working space is being moved effective Monday, likely for a three-week period into courthouse Room 103 where the court usually meets. (Brenham Banner, TX)
Weather halted work on a Maronda Homes construction site Saturday on Mulberry Drive. The proposed property tax Amendment 1 to be voted on in the Jan. 29 primary has the potential to raise the states current homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 on a home that is valued at $75,000 or more. JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter Jan 20, 2008
Crews said concern about the 3 percent property tax appraisal cap is the main thing on the minds of Columbia County. voters. (Lake City Reporter, FL)
BISD board to look at 2008-09 calendar Dec 9, 2007
Approval of the nominees to the Washington County Tax Appraisal District Board. Since the Brenham district is the largest taxing entity in the county, it is allowed to have the largest block of representatives on the board. (Brenham Banner, TX)
Property dispute continues, despite court ruling Dec 7, 2007
" Young had an independent appraisal of the house conducted for the trial, which placed its value at $61,000. When she received the tax appraisal from the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) listing its value at $107,000, she filed a protest. After an Appraisal Board hearing, the value of the house was lowered to $65,000. Both Baytown Habitat for Humanity Board President Steve Ellis and Young claimed to have tried to negotiate a reasonable price for the property. "On the day of the trial,... (Lake Houston Sun, TX)
Appraisal board members praised Nov 29, 2007
Noting it is ever more difficult to find qualified persons willing to serve in possibly controversial public service roles, Washington County commissioners spent several minutes at their meeting Tuesday to praise two 1980 charter members of the Washington County Tax Appraisal District s board of directors ... Washington County s chief tax appraiser Willy Dilworth explained today that the 13-person office which has duties with all county-wide tax appraisals, plus serving as a consolidated billing... (Brenham Banner, TX)
Texas voters to make decisions Oct 28, 2007
The current subsection of Section 1, Article VIII of the constitution allows the legislature to limit the maximum average annual percentage increase in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxes to 10 percent, or a greater percentage, for reach year since the most recent tax appraisal of the homestead. Also included on the ballot is Amendment No. 4, which would issue up to 1 billion in bond for the general revenues of the state for maintenance, improvement, repair, and... (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Election 2007 Oct 21, 2007
Summary: Currently, Subsection (i) of Section 1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, authorizes the legislature to limit the maximum average annual percentage increase in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes to 10 percent, or a greater percentage, for each year since the most recent tax appraisal of the homestead. The proposed amendment amends Subsection (i) to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem... (Odessa American, TX)
New police station design unveiled Oct 20, 2007
Approved the nomination of John Garnett, Sue Muzzy, Delton Koerth, Robert Mikeska and John Schaer to the Washington County Tax Appraisal District board of directors. All currently serve on the board for the district, which sets property values for taxing entities in the county. (Brenham Banner, TX)
AC failure forces court to relocate by Roxanne McKnight with The Meteor Oct 10, 2007
submit the names of Don Reynolds and Bruce Morrison as candidates to serve as director on the Madison County Tax Appraisal Board to represent Madison County. accept a 100 bid from George Davis and MacArthur Davis on a property no one had bid on. (Madisonville Meteor, TX)
Alpine ISD nears the 1,000 mark Sep 28, 2007
The district's lawyers are working with the tax appraisal district and the 911 dispatchers to consolidate data and addresses of delinquent taxpayers. The board also recognized Sara Tandy and Alpine Elementary School. (Alpine Avalanche, TX)
Attorney For Convicted County Official Withdraws From Case Sep 6, 2007
(September 5, 2007)State District Judge Robert Stem Wednesday approved a motion allowing Marlin attorney Hoagie Karels to withdraw as counsel for former Falls County Tax Appraisal District official Candace Grams, who was sentenced in June to 10 years in prison on a theft by a public servant charge and five years probation on each of two tampering with evidence charges. Grams was indicted in July 2006 for theft by a public servant after an investigation determined that signatures had been... (KWTX.com, TX)
Central Texas Court House Probe Evidently Not Over Yet Aug 31, 2007
An investigator has been in and out of the courthouse over the last three weeks, according to courthouse sources and on Thursday he was seen walking into the Falls County District Attorneys Office accompanied by former Falls County Tax Appraisal District official Candace Grams, who was sentenced in June to 10 years in prison on a theft by a public servant charge and five years probation on each of two tampering with evidence charges. The Attorney Generals Office confirmed the presence of... (KWTX.com, TX)
Property Tax Savings Disappoint Homeowners Aug 25, 2007
Ursula Peck, of Plantation, is not impressed with the discount she got on her tax appraisal. "It's not cheap," said Pech. (WFOR.com, FL)
Builder tells district schools are showing age Aug 3, 2007
The board approved tax appraisal values as presented. The district expects a total taxable value of more than 296 million this year, up more than 22 million from 2006. (Alpine Avalanche, TX)
Convicted Former Tax Appraisal District Official Seeks New Trial Jul 13, 2007
(July 12, 2007)Former Falls County Tax Appraisal District official Candace Grams, who was convicted last month of theft by public servant and tampering with evidence, is seeking a new trial. Grams new attorney, Ed Mason of Dallas, filed a new trial motion and notice of appeal Thursday. (KWTX.com, TX)
Former Tax Appraisal District Employee Found Guilty Jun 22, 2007
(June 21, 2007)After about ten hours of deliberations, a jury Thursday in Marlin found former falls County Tax Appraisal District office official Candace Grams guilty on all but one of 320 counts in an alleged scheme to forge checks and change appraisal values. The punishment phase of the trial now gets underway. (KWTX.com, TX)
Jury Decides On Prison Sentence For Former Tax Appraisal District Official Jun 22, 2007
(June 21, 2007)A state district court jury Thursday in Marlin sentenced former Falls County Tax Appraisal District official Candace Grams to prison sentences terms totaling 20 years. It was not immediately clear whether the sentences would be served concurrently or consecutively. (KWTX.com, TX)
More of this story May 30, 2007
Parish council to hear appeal of tax appraisal. Florida Gas still unhappy, even after parish follows guidelines allowed in court case brought by pipeline firms. (Bogalusa Daily News, LA)
Chemical Spill Closes Local Appraisal Office May 30, 2007
(May 29, 2007)A chemical spill Tuesday closed the Williamson County Tax Appraisal Office in Georgetown. Workers found the yellow substance in the central file room near the janitor's closet Tuesday morning. (KWTX.com, TX)
Land, homes fuel property values hike May 24, 2007
Property rolls are up in all but one of the taxing entities in Washington County, fueled by increases in land and home values, preliminary figures from the Washington County Tax Appraisal District show. The Burton school district, which has been designated a ich district by the state for school funding purposes, saw its values drop slightly. (Brenham Banner, TX)
Some Not Happy With Their Property Tax Appraisals May 22, 2007
"I understand that when people come in they want some property tax relief," said Art Cory, chief appraiser for Travis County Tax Appraisal District. On average, the 400,000 Travis County properties they surveyed this year went up by a steep 9 percent. (K-Eye News, TX)
Relief possible for HCAD taxpayers through protest May 21, 2007
Harris County taxpayers who recently received letters of appraisal, and who believe the assessed value to be unfair, can protest that appraisal, according to the Harris County Tax Appraisal District (HCAD). A two-page letter titled, "Texas Property Taxpayer's Remedies" comes with each appraisal notification describing the protest process. (North Channel Sun, TX)
Return to sender-- Some taxpayers signing refunds over to Blinn Apr 22, 2007
About 8,000 of the tax appraisal district's accounts were to get refunds of less than 1, said Dilworth. Those checks were not mailed. (Brenham Banner, TX)
County taxpayers refunded over $540K Apr 13, 2007
For more than 7,000, they ll have to make a trip to the Washington County Tax Appraisal District to get theirs. Willy Dilworth, the district s chief appraiser, said today that refund checks from a Blinn College tax rollback have been mailed to taxpayers. (Brenham Banner, TX)
State says property values set too low-- Homes among categories being appealed by WCTAD Mar 25, 2007
The Washington County Tax Appraisal District is appealing a state challenge that some of its property values are set too low. The State Comptroller's Office has said that single-family residences, rural real land and commercial real land in the Brenham school district fall below 95 percent of the actual market value. (Brenham Banner, TX)
Don't expect ‘windfall' from Blinn tax refund Mar 6, 2007
About 8,000 taxpayers will receive refunds of less than 1, says Willy Dilworth, chief appraiser with the Washington County Tax Appraisal District ... About 8,000 of the tax appraisal district's accounts will get refunds of less than 1, said Dilworth ... Instead, they'll have to go by the tax appraisal district's offices at 1301 Niebuhr St., fill out a form and pick up their rebate in cash. (Brenham Banner, TX)
Hegar pushes tax reform legislation Feb 20, 2007
Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) has filed a package of tax reform bills aimed at reigning in what many have called skyrocketing property tax appraisals ... "In my opinion, forcing citizens to protest their appraisal every year is unfair, as well as a waste of taxpayer time and money." SB 391 would also require that a constitutional amendment be voted on to limit property tax appraisals ... The amendment would appear on the Nov. 6 general election ballot and would read, "The constitutional amendment... (Fort Bend Southwest Sun, TX)
Property owners get chance to talk taxes Feb 12, 2007
30-day news archives. " Doubling the homestead exemption: Every city and county in Florida would have to hold a referendum during the 2008 presidential primary on whether to double the homestead exemption to $50,000. Crist has decided to avoid applying it to school district tax levies, so only cities and counties would take the financial hit. TALLAHASSEE - Since retiring from Toronto to Florida in 1998, Ron Wilson has gradually concluded he got a raw deal.The golfing community in Bonita Springs... (Florida Today)
Texas May Sell Its Lottery Feb 8, 2007
Perry also outlined proposals for increased tax relief, property tax appraisal relief, higher education, state budgeting transparency and hurricane preparedness. He spent some time complaining about what he said were unfair federal actions or inaction on health care funding, border security and environmental regulations, as well. (Newsmax)
State Panel Makes Appraisal Reform Recommendations Jan 24, 2007
(AP) AUSTIN Taxpayers would have to approve some city and county spending increases and disclose the sales price or fair market value of property under recommendations made Tuesday by a governor's task force on Texas' tax appraisal system. The spending limit would prevent local governments from collecting revenue of more than 5 percent above the previous year's budget, unless there is voter approval. (CBS 11, TX)
APPRAISAL TASK FORCE GIVES RECOMMENDATIONS Jan 24, 2007
By: ROY MAYNARD, Staff Writer 01/23/2007 Gov. Rick Perry's Task Force on Appraisal Reform released a list of recommendations that it says could make the property tax appraisal system fairer and could preserve the property tax relief granted by lawmakers in 2006. The 15-member task force held 11 public hearings throughout the state in recent months to prepare the report. (Tyler Morning Telegraph, TX)
Wednesday Back In Time 01-10-2007 Jan 11, 2007
Jan. 10, 1997: Based on a city council work session Thursday, the tax appraisal district isn t likely to receive city approval of one stage of its three-stage remodeling proposal. It calls for expansion and remodeling work to cramped district office to 302 W. Eighth St.. (Plainview Daily Herald, TX)
Property tax loophole for some Jan 4, 2007
I think it ll be part of the recommendations that the governor s property tax appraisal reform commission comes out with, said State Sen. Tommy Williams, R - The Woodlands. (KHOU.com, TX)
