‘This is a tough letter.’ Tarrant Appraisal board outlines to-dos for county’s top appraiser
Ahead of the agency’s busiest season, the Tarrant Appraisal District board said it is making efforts to increase transparency.
At its Monday meeting, the board followed up on a promise to issue a “letter of repair” to Chief Appraiser Jeff Law. The letter states Law’s handling of several recent incidents damaged the agency’s credibility.
“As the Chief Appraiser, it is your responsibility to ensure that all functions of the Appraisal District are performed in a manner that instills the public with confidence in the Appraisal District,” the letter states.
In presenting the letter, board secretary Rich Deotte thanked the board for taking the agency’s transparency issues seriously.
“Frankly, this is a tough letter,” he said.
The four-page document begins by acknowledging many aspects at the district are operating “very well and at a very high level.” The letter states that the state comptroller has has consistently found appraised values certified by the Tarrant Appraisal District have been within 5% margin of error. The district is also one of the few in the state to receive the Certificate of Excellence in Assessment of Administration awarded by the International Association of Assessing Officers.
“Most importantly, the Tarrant Appraisal District’s appraisals rolls have been certified to the Tax Assessor Collector in a timely and accurate manner,” the letter states before outlining the issues that have affected the credibility of the appraisal district.
Among the concerns:
▪ Law’s failure to prepare for the board’s June 30, 2022, meeting in which hundreds of people were forced to wait outside in triple-digit temperatures, leading to “extremely negative press coverage.”
▪ Law’s inadequate communication about TAD’s computer system when it was undergoing security updates in fall 2022.
▪ Complaints by homeowners about the management of property tax exemptions.
▪ The agency’s enforcement of its conflict of interest policy after a Star-Telegram report detailed a former employee’s potential violation of the policy.
▪ Law’s handling of the recall of former board chair Kathryn Wilemon, which resulted in “adverse media coverage and public outcry.”
Law’s handling of Wilemon’s recall prompted Fort Worth Rep. Charlie Geren to file legislation that would abolish the Tarrant Appraisal District and put it under control of the state Comptroller’s Office.
“Better communication with our local elected leaders may have avoided the filing of this bill and may prevent it from ultimately getting passed into law,” the letter read.
The board outlined a list of 11 items it expects Law complete in 90 days, including the development of a plan to repair the agency’s reputation and ensuring that the agency’s computer systems and website comply with statutory requirements.
Failure to resolve the issues could result in dismissal, the letter concluded.
In response to letter, Law said, “I am reviewing the 11 areas the board has laid out in the letter and have begun work.”
This story was originally published April 10, 2023 at 1:47 PM.
