Ft. Worth Star-Telegrams take on appraisal reform props

http://www.star-telegram.com/242/story/1680432.html

Everything I read these days informs me that the newspaper business is struggling. No one is reading the hard copy and that has led to less advertising revenue. However, you would think the folks at the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram are flush with cash. In an editorial they have asked voters to reject all 3 props dealing with appraisal reforms. They present some okay arguments in the case for prop 2, but they still don't get the big picture of appraisal reform and the fact the people know best how to spend their hard earned pocket money.

Prop 2 will no longer require CADs to appraise under the highest and best use principle contained within the statues. A piece of property that is currently a homestead for a fine Texan cannot be appraised based upon its potential to be a shopping mall. After all these folks did not ask for the development the development came to them. If they should decide to sell then the property can be reappraised for its intended purpose. There is still a lot of rural land in Texas, and one would hate to see that land put on the tax rolls as commercial property for the sake of higher tax revenue for the taxing entities.

Prop 3 will standardize appraisal practices across the state. CADs had this responsibility, but failed in their duties to the property owning taxpayers. The only real way to fix this problem is by making local CAD executive boards elected positions. No one sitting as a school board member, city council member, commissioner's court member, etc. should be allowed to serve on the executive board of a CAD. This is comparable to the fox watching over the hen house. I would think that the chief appraisers of this state would be in favor of this prop in order to remove any possible pressure to increase values to raise local tax revenue conflict that may arise between them and the executive board. Can't deny the argument the Star-Telegram makes with regards to bigger government on this issue; however, I think the prop out weighs the negative. Texas state government seems to get very little done when they meet in Austin and I think property owners would be the winner if prop 3 passes.

Prop 5 will allow appraisal districts in adjacent counties to have consolidated appraisal review boards to handle property-owner appeals. What a great idea! Now a property owner can have a real ARB hearing with an impartial jury of his/her peers. In far too many cases in this state the ARB is equipped with retreaded members. The same people seem to find their way back as sitting members of an ARB. No one should be allowed to serve more than one term (at least one term every 10 years) as an ARB member. Property ownership should be a requirement to serve as an ARB member, and every property owner should be given an opportunity to serve. Prop 5 lends itself to an unbias jury and the ARB member pool gets larger. This is especially helpful in the rural areas of the state. The Star-Telegram has forgotten that Ft. Worth and Tarrant county are no longer rural, and we still have some 'real' rural areas remaining in this state.