Cities and school districts across McLennan County, Texas,
have mixed responses to a resolution under consideration that some believe
would increase accountability of the McLennan County Appraisal District’s (MCAD)
board of directors.
The Waco
Tribune-Herald reported that county commissioners will discuss the
resolution that was drafted by McLennan Community College with seven of the 43
entities represented by the appraisal district receiving support. Another seven
entities have scheduled meetings during the coming weeks to cast a vote.
Officials with the appraisal district say the concern
regarding its agency stems from the lawsuit with its former landlord
Hoppenstein Properties and a lack of communication from its office.
The resolution asks for the board to be increased from five
to seven members, for a forensic audit to be conducted by the Texas Comptroller
of Public Accounts, that taxing entities not elect members of the governing
members of taxing entities to the board, and that money collected during the
past three years from the taxing entities for computer equipment, which has not
been purchased, be returned unless the money is spent by Aug. 31.
Appraisal district board member Scott Calley, who brought
the resolution to commissioners along with Commissioner Kelly Snell, said at
least 22 of the 43 entities have to approve the resolution, or a similar one,
by the end of August for it to take effect with MCAD.
But Chief Appraiser Drew Hahn said at least 30 of the
entities would have to approve a resolution for a change to be made.
MCAD Board Chairman John Kinnaird said it’s likely that the
root of many of the concerns comes from poor communication out of the appraisal
district last year, which is something he plans to improve. The large increase
to the budget for fiscal year 2015 in response to a litigation settlement
caused sticker shock for many of the entities.
A jury ruled that MCAD breached its contract with Hoppenstein Properties
when it broke its lease agreement. The appraisal district had to pay out about
$500,000.
“In any organization, there is room for improvement and we
are striving to respond to the entities’ concerns and increasing our level of
communication while providing more consistent and accurate information,”
Kinnaird said.