Star-Telegram endorsement: Is a change needed at Tarrant tax assessor office? | Opinion
The Republican primary race for Tarrant County tax assessor-collector is a rematch — and a grudge match.
Incumbent Wendy Burgess and challenger Rick Barnes faced off in 2018, and Burgess has held the office since. The two are relishing hitting each other in this round, with Burgess accusing Barnes of poor leadership of the county Republican Party. Barnes, a North Richland Hills insurance agent, is saying his opponent didn’t do enough to prevent problems at the Tarrant Appraisal District, where the chief appraiser was replaced in September amid technology problems and a lack of transparency that angered several officials in the governments covered by the district.
We preferred Barnes six years ago, but Burgess, 53, of Fort Worth has performed well in the job and earned a shot at another term.
The tax assessor-collector is a nonvoting member of the appraisal district’s board. It’s fair to factor in his or her effort in that role.
But it’s not the crux of the job. Service to taxpayers is, and on that front, the candidates agree: The office is functioning well. Burgess, in our interview with the candidates, cited improved wait times, technological improvements and expanded service in a growing county without adding significant new staff.
Barnes, 60, former county GOP chairman and Keller mayor pro tempore, seemed to agree that the office is functioning well and expressed little about how to improve it, focusing on the appraisal district issues. That’s not enough, though, to merit firing Burgess.
Early voting in the primary begins Feb. 20 and runs through March 1. Election Day is March 5. The winner advances to the general election to face Democrat KC Chowdhury, who is unopposed in that party’s primary. It’s a four-year term.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
This story was originally published February 13, 2024 at 5:28 AM.