Appraisal notices mailed out recently

Appraisal notices for real property and business personal property have been mailed out during the past few weeks, according to Clayton Snyder, chief appraiser of the Shackelford County Appraisal District. 

About 2,000 notices were sent to property owners in the county.

“The appraisal district physically reappraised the Moran ISD, City of Moran, and the Lueders-Avoca ISD areas for 2019,” said Snyder. “The district also updated the cost schedule, provided through Marshall and Swift, used for appraising in 2019 for all taxing jurisdictions within the county boundaries.”

He explained that the cost of building materials have increased significantly in the last three years, which is reflected in the building prices provided by Marshall  & Swift.

“We observed some increases in both sales volume and sales price of ‘average’ and ‘good quality’ single family residences in the 2018 through 2019 period, mostly in the Albany ISD area,” said the chief appraiser. “When analyzing current sales data, the Albany area is increasing in value for most single family residences.” 

Again this year, standardized methods of depreciation, put into place when interim chief appraiser Richard Petree took over, were used by the local office, based on age and condition of each property. 

Snyder added that there will be no significant change in ag values this year, while minerals, according to preliminary 2019 figures, are up to around 10 to 20 percent when compared to final valuations in 2018.

Industrial and business personal are “comparatively flat,” he said. 

Wind turbine values are estimated to be down again this year seven to 10 percent due to the aging of the structures, and the current value of energy in the market place, Snyder explained. 

However, all property tax abatements have run their course and are no longer in place, which should increase tax revenues for the county and hospital district overall.

“The goal of the district is to find the accurate market value of all taxable property in the county, and to ensure equality and uniformity of those values so that everyone pays their fair share,” Snyder said. “Our local governments and schools depend on accurate appraisals.”

After notices are mailed, citizens have 30 days to protest their value. The protest form is included with the notice. 

For notices mailed locally, the deadline is around June 21. Those mailed by Capital Appraisals were due earlier this moon on June 12.

“If you feel that your property is appraised at a level greater than market value, you can come in and file a protest or you may call for an appointment,” Snyder said. 

Forms are also available on the CAD website, shackelfordcad.com.

Walk-ins will be accepted if appraisers are not busy with other customers. 

“We are certainly open to discussing taxpayers’ values, but we prefer that they bring in hard evidence of problems that would keep their property from selling at the value the district has set,” said Snyder. 

Examples of evidence include pictures of problem areas, bids on repairs, a certified appraisal, or sales information.

If protesters are still not happy with the informal appeals process, they may appeal to the Appraisal Review Board, a group of local citizens who hear taxpayer complaints and value disputes. 

To request the informal protest or to schedule an appointment, taxpayers can contact the CAD office at 325-762-2207.

Snyder also explained that taxpayers over 65 or disabled are protected from increases on their homesteads. 

Also, taxes cannot be increased more than 10 percent per year on any homestead.