Harris County Appraisal District Board of Directors met June 21

Harris County Appraisal District Board of Directors met June 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A meeting of the Harris Central Board of Directors was held Wednesday, June 21st, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at the HCAD offices.

Chairman Sullivan called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m.

Board member Jonathan Cowen led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Salute to the Texas Flag.

Roll Call. The presence of a quorum was established. Chairman Sullivan, Martina Lemond Dixon, Jim Robinson, Jonathan Cowen, and Kathy Blueford-Daniels were present. Al Odom joined the meeting at 9:52 a.m. Ann Harris Bennett was absent.

Chief Appraiser Roland Altinger and Todd Stewart of Olson and Olson, legal counsel, also were in attendance.

Presentation of proposed 2024 Budget. Chief Appraiser Altinger summarized the proposed budget for 2024 with a slide presentation outlining his recommendations to the board. Additional information in the way of a brief overview of each department was provided by Deputy Chief Jason Cunningham, Chief of Operations Clarette Walker, and Chief Human Resources Officer Sally Vardy. A slide presentation was provided to the board.

Public Hearing on Proposed 2024 Budget. Chairman Sullivan opened the public hearing for the 2024 budget at 10:44 a.m. With no comments from members of the public, Chairman Sullivan declared the public hearing closed at 10:44 a.m.

Audit Report. Board members of the Audit Committee met on June 4th and Director Jim Robinson summarized the basic guidelines that the district follows regarding unspent funds. The annual audit report was presented to the board by auditor Stephanie Harris, with Belt Harris Pechacek, LLLP. She issued a clean unmodified opinion on the district’s financial statements and stated that this is the highest level of assurance that our independent auditor can provide. Also, reported by Ms. Harris was recognition of the 35th year that the district has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Chief Appraiser Altinger thanked Deputy Chief Jason Cunningham on a job well done in his role as Acting Chief at the May Board of Directors meeting.

Recognition of Service Awards and Employees of the Month. Chief Appraiser Altinger and Board member Jonathan Cowen presented 10-year service awards to Freda Clayborne of the Communications Division, Linda Leitko of the Information & Assistance Division and Zachary Taylor of the Commercial Property Division.

15-year service awards were presented to Richard Ablack of the Information Technology Division, Mario Leija of the Security Division and Thu Ngo of the Review Appraisal Division.

A 25-year service award was presented to Renee Green of the Commercial Property Division.

35-year service awards were presented to Theresa Paul of the Budget & Finance Division and to HCAD’s Chief Appraiser Roland Altinger.

A 40-year service award was presented to Carol McKee of the Commercial Property Division.

Employees of the Month. Chief Appraiser Roland Altinger and Board member Jonathan Cowen presented employee of the month plaques to Carlos Alvarino of the Information & Assistance Division, Olivia Henderson of the Commercial Property Division, Tien Nguyen of the Business & Industrial Property Division, and Finisha Taylor of the ARB Operations Division.

HCAD Interns. Brenda Budd, Senior Manager of Talent Development, recognized the ten interns who were selected to participate in the district’s 2023 summer internship program. This program provides the students with experience working in a professional environment.

District’s Summer Hire Program. Brenda Budd recognized the ten high school students who were selected to participate in the district’s seven-week summer hire program.

Mayor’s Community Engagement Award. Mabel Menefee, community relations representative, reported on the Mayor’s Community Engagement Award for outstanding dedication and service to the residents of Houston for its proactive community outreach partnership. This award was presented to HCAD on May 5th at City Hall.

Comments from Members of the Public. There were none.

Consent Agenda

“All matters listed under consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion, there will not be separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.”

Mr. Cowen, seconded by Mr. Robinson, moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

a. Approval of Minutes. Reviewing and approving the minutes of the regular meeting of May 17, 2023.

b. Furniture & Equipment Surplus. Declaring certain furniture and equipment as surplus and approving its sale/disposal.

c. Financial Reports. Receiving the district’s monthly financial reports.

d. Bills and Payroll. Authorizing payment of bills and payroll in amount of $6,674,967.09 and a transfer of funds for $1,750,000 as submitted.

e. Board Travel. Approving board member travel to attend the International Association of Assessing Officers Annual conference from August 27, 2023, through August 30, 2023.

BIPD 2023 Notice Status. Hal Long, Associate Chief Appraiser of the Business & Industrial Property Division, reported on the 2023 notice status. A slide presentation was provided to the board.

88th Legislation Bills. Kevin McCormack, Chief Legal Officer, reported on several bills passed during the 88th Texas Legislature that are expected to impact Harris Central Appraisal District and/or the taxing jurisdictions. A booklet listing the bills was provided to the board members. An assessment cost of HCAD’s legislative efforts was requested by Chairman Sullivan.

Taxpayer Liaison Officer Report. Teresa Terry, Taxpayer Liaison Officer, provided a verbal report to the board. A written report was also provided in the board packet. With the passing of HB 1285 and following discussions by all board members, a meeting with Legal counsel, the Chief Appraiser and the Taxpayer Liaison officer will be scheduled to create a protocol publication for the board as they incorporate the new provisions of the new legislation for the taxpayer liaison office.

Appraisal Review Board Report. ARB Secretary, Betty Jackson, reported on the progress of hearings, attendance by members of the appraisal review board at hearings, and activities of the executive staff and the board’s attorney.

Protest and Hearings and Required Notice. Jeff Morrison, Chief of Hearings, reported on protests and hearings, including iFile and iSettle. Protests are still being processed but as of this meeting for the 2023 tax year, 500,734 protests have been received with the vast majority of them being filed electronically. Of the protests that have been settled so far, 75% have come from our electronic options.

Appraisal Matters. There were none.

Executive Session. Chairman Sullivan called the board into executive session at 12:27 p.m. for the purpose of: (a) private consultation with the board’s attorney regarding (i) pending and potential litigation, (ii) settlement of pending appeals to the State Office of Administrative Hearings, (iii) settlement of pending arbitrations under Texas Tax Code Chapter 41A, and (iv) settlement of pending litigation under Texas Tax Code Chapter 42; (b) considering the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer, or employee, including the duties and appointment of the chief appraiser; (c) considering the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation of security personnel or devices; (d) deliberating the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person, as permitted by the Open Meetings Act, Chap. 551, Government Code.

Chairman Sullivan opened the meeting at 1:04 p.m.

Roll Call. Board members Martina Lemond Dixon, Jonathan Cowen, and Jim Robinson were present. Ann Harris Bennett, Kathy Blueford-Daniels, and Al Odom were absent.

Pending Litigation. Mr. Cowen, seconded by Ms. Lemond Dixon, moved to approve settlement of pending litigation, arbitrations, and SOAH appeals as submitted by staff. The motion carried unanimously. A list is attached.

Appeals Under Sec. 42.02 Tax Code. There were none.

Cancel July Board Meeting. Mr. Cowen, seconded by Ms. Lemond Dixon, moved to cancel the regular July 2023 board meeting, and additionally this year, to appoint Mr. Robinson, and the Chief Appraiser to approve or defer: 1) settlement of pending litigation, 2) pending appeals to the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and 3) pending arbitrations, that would otherwise be due for consideration and approval at the July 2023 meeting of the Board of Directors. In addition, authorize designated staff to sign District checks over $25,000 for the month of July 2023. The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.

https://hcad.org/assets/uploads/pdf/resources/2023/Boardbook-August-16-2023.pdf