Bexar County residents now have a chance to join the board that oversees the county’s property appraisal process — a panel that’s long been run by representatives from the taxing entities themselves.
The board is currently seeking applications from the community to fill a temporary opening left by the late Robert “Bob” Bruce, who died in March.
It’s also electing three board members this November, where the candidate filing period to appear on the ballot runs July 17 through August 17.
Appraisal district boards got a reboot during the 2023 Texas legislative session, where lawmakers created new elected positions to give residents more insight into the property appraisal process.
Many of the candidates brought backgrounds in real estate and business, and the winners now serve alongside five members who are nominated by leaders from the county, the cities within Bexar County, the community college district, and other taxing entities.
Politics of the appraisal district
Across the state, some of the new elected appraisal district members came in with big ideas to try to alleviate rising property tax bills.
Tarrant County, for example, approved less frequent appraisals and a cap on the amount a property’s taxable value can be increased from one year to the next.
Some of those ideas haven’t borne out as expected, and the legislature came back to rein in appraisal districts’ power the following session.
But Bexar County’s board was under considerable pressure to follow Tarrant County’s lead two years ago, and will again need to approve a two-year reappraisal plan this September.
In 2024, the board voted rejected Tarrant County-style changes, instead opting for a modest adjustment, allowing successfully contested appraisals to roll over from 2025 to 2026 without another protest.
How Bexar County’s new appraisal process will work
Bruce, a businessman and major financial contributor to many conservative causes, was among the first class of elected board members in Bexar County and a driving force behind that change.
His position — as well as the other two elected board members positions — are up for reelection on Nov. 6.
Since most of the board’s work occurs in the fall of even-numbered years, the appraisal district plans to swear in a temporary replacement for Bruce to serve through Dec. 31
It will review the applications received by the May 29 deadline, select qualified candidates for interviews, and the board will vote on the winner.
