Voters can now choose Tarrant appraisal directors. Here’s our Place 2 endorsement | Opinion
Several members of the Tarrant Appraisal District board have municipal government experience, and as voters choose three new directors, it will probably gain more. So, how about throwing an everyman into the mix?
Eric Crile of Fort Worth is the best option for Place 2 among the newly created seats. He doesn’t lack for a record of service — Crile is a firefighter in another county, sits on an advisory committee for Fort Worth’s Crime Control and Prevention District and has served on his homeowners association’s board. But he’s never run for office before and will bring the perspective of an average homeowner and taxpayer to a district that’s been maligned for poor customer service.
Crile, 46, sees a lack of helpful information for property owners about the appraisal process. He wants to push for a reduction of the maximum appraisal increase, currently 10%, to between 3% and 5%. But he understands that will require pushing Austin for change.
He’s also pushing an interesting idea to have registration for homestead exemptions available upon renewal of a driver’s license, similar to voter registration. It might be difficult to put systems in place to share such information, but that kind of creative thinking is needed to help taxpayers take advantage of every break they can amid soaring property bills.
Crile’s opponent, Callie Rigney, who is currently mayor pro tempore in Colleyville, did not respond to repeated requests for an interview.
In the long run, Tarrant voters deserve a more diverse board, representing more political perspectives, other parts of the county, and a range of income, ethnicity and other factors that reflect Tarrant County’s population. Electing Crile is a good start.
Early voting starts April 22; Election Day is May 4. Every registered Tarrant County voter can cast ballots for all three TAD seats. Winners will serve through 2026; eventually, directors will be elected to staggered four-year terms.
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; and Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor.
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 April 13, 2024 at 5:33 AM.