Bastrop County took a step forward in automating operations of the District as the Board of Directors approved the change of software used to appraise property. The vendor chosen by the District is Harris True Automation, which is the recognized leader in appraisal software in Texas, the district said.
Bastrop CAD became Harris’ 122nd appraisal district client with the action.
The software will allow the staff to be more productive by automating many of the tasks that have been done manually in the past. Appraisals that have been done on paper will be done electronically using an iPad, alleviating the need for data entry. These changes will allow the district to reduce staff by two persons while producing a more accurate appraisal product.
“Additional focus of the district will be on providing efficient service to taxpayers and a taxpayer friendly environment,” Interim Chief Appraiser Richard Petree told the Elgin Courier. Petree assured the board that 2017 will go much smoother in terms of appraisals as the new technological systems are put into place.
The cost of the software will be mostly offset by the reduction in staff and a reduced cost in software maintenance compared to current software, the district stated. The overall proposed 2017 budget increased 6 percent, including the cost of the new software. Its cost will be spread out over five years using a financing agreement.