They campaigned. They got elected. Then on Tuesday, the three newest members of the Bexar Appraisal District’s board of directors finally received some guidance on what they’ve signed themselves up for.
The new elected positions were created by the state Legislature to offer taxpayers more insight into the property appraisal process, but the actual job description was loosely defined, at best.
Nevertheless, the positions drew numerous candidates with impressive resumes who’ve been eager to get started.
On Tuesday, Naomi Elizabeth Miller, a longtime district director to then-Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Erika Hizel, who runs an advocacy group for small landlords and Robert Bruce, the founder of Boerne Stage Airfield, were sworn into their new roles.
After a very brief ceremony, families in attendance cleared out and the group jumped right into their first meeting, starting with a presentation from attorney Chris Jackson of Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott about how the board works.
Given the choice between a 15-minute version of the presentation and a 45-minute version, the members chose the latter, then peppered Jackson with questions that stretched on for more than an hour.
The elected positions were rolled out on the May municipal election ballot so they could get started before this property tax season. In the future, they’ll be elected on the November ballot.
The elected members join a board of six existing members who are appointed by the county’s various taxing entities.
Together, that board is now responsible for appointing members to the 50-member Appraisal Review Board, which hears challenges to property valuations.
It’s a new responsibility for the Bexar Appraisal District’s board, and at least two elected members will need to approve each appointment to the Appraisal Review Board, according to Bexar Appraisal District Communications Director Jennifer Rodriguez.
That selection process will begin in October for positions that would start in 2025.
