WEBB COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT
3302 CLARK BOULEVARD
LAREDO, TEXAS 78043-3346
PHONE: (956)718-4091 FAX: (956)718-4052
MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARCH 30, 2006
The Webb County Appraisal District Board of Directors convened for a called
meeting on District business on Thursday, March 30, 2006 at the Webb County
Appraisal District Board Room located at 3302 Clark Boulevard, Laredo, Texas.
Chairman Juan Antonio Molina, Jr. called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m.
Present were Mr. Juan Antonio Molina, Jr., Commissioner Jerry Garza, Miss Pat
Campos and Council Member Hector “Tito” Garcia. Absent were Mr. Jose A.
Valdez and Miss Patricia Barrera. A quorum was established.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Chairman Garza.
Mr. Sergio Delgado, Chief Appraiser proceeded to recognize District staff
members present. They were Martin Villarreal, Roberto Valdez, and Ravinder
Rawat. Also in attendance were Juan J. Cruz, Board Attorney, Monica Madrigal
representing United ISD, Elizabeth Martinez representing the City of Laredo, Rudy
Sanchez representing Laredo ISD and several staff members of the Webb County
Appraisal District.
OATH OF OFFICE
ITEM #1
Administer Oath of Office to Board Member, Hector “Tito”
Garcia. Mr. Delgado stated, for the record, that Council Member
Garcia had previously been sworn onto the Board of Directors of the
Appraisal District and that all required documentation had been filed
accordingly.
PRESENTATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, RECOGNITIONS AND REPORTS
ITEM #1
Report from the Taxpayers Liaison Officer.
Mr. Delgado
established that Mrs. Norma P. Vargas had previously notified the
District she had answered all calls and inquiries, had directed matters
to the appropriate staff members and had nothing pending. She also
asked the Board to recognize a Supervisor, Janie Bautista, for a job
well done on one of the matters referred for assistance. He stated she
had nothing else to report.
Secretary Campos asked if staff assist property owners with the
completion of a protest form. She had been asked the question in light
of the availability of arbitration. Mr. Delgado responded that staffs do
assist property owners when requested with completing protest forms,
but the actual reasons for the protest must be established by the
property owner. Mr. Delgado stated what protest items qualify for
arbitration and which ones do not. He ensured that providing
information about arbitration can be made available.
ITEM #2
Report from the Chief Appraiser. Mr. Delgado asked the Board
members to turn to that agenda tab in their binder. On pages 2 he
covered a letter from County Elections Office on use of WCAD
facility. On page 3, he established working with UISD officials on a
multi-year supplement reporting to the State Comptroller. On page 4,
Mr. Delgado addressed the upcoming Appraisal Review Board
member training seminar on Tuesday, April 18th. On page 5, he
covered ARB hearing summary report though March 23rd. On page 6,
he identified a required publication of the 2006 Low Income Housing
Capitalization Rate. On page 7 thru 11, he established that new
equipment procedures are communicated to staff. On pages 12 thru
14, he revealed ongoing program to question multiple improvement
exemption claims, exemption eligibility, and tax deferral benefits. On
pages 12 thru 16, he established that all employees were required to
re-read the District Policy before it is reviewed for change. On pages
17 and 18, Mr. Delgado identified new postal and mileage rates of the
federal government. Finally, on pages 19 through 35, he established a
variety of articles and informational memos for the Board’s reference.
Council Members asked if these items could go out earlier. Mr.
Delgado responded that the District was working on that process.
Chairman Molina established that there were no further questions.
ITEM #3
Report on 2005 Comptroller’s Property Value Study. Mr.
Delgado provided background information about the State
Comptroller Property Value Study and its affects on school funding.
He referred to the study findings for each school district and the
county’s overall valuation. He established that Laredo ISD was below
the margin of error and its affects on its school district funding. He
revealed that Laredo ISD had been placed on a valuation probation
grace period for 2006 and the Appraisal District was required to
address the low market value findings in their 2006 appraisal studies
or LISD would begin losing state funding after next year. Mr.
Delgado added that local property owners believe appraisal district
values are too high, while the State believes the values are not high
enough. He stressed that the Appraisal District does not create the
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local market valuations; it only reflects the local market conditions.
He added that the State believes that the Appraisal District is not
reflecting the market and should be closer to market. He restated that
for 2006, the Appraisal District would have to analyze sales data and
adjust its property evaluations. He went into detail to establish where
the areas of concern were located and addressed the value segments
that must be revalued. He revealed that Laredo ISD was appealing the
State study and the Appraisal District was assisting in that process Mr.
Delgado again establish the lack of sales information to better
establish market value and the absence of sales disclosure legislation
to provide Appraisal District’s with the tools to do a better job. He
stated he had included some sales disclosure news articles on pages 6
through 8. Chairman Molina asked for questions and there were none.
ITEM #4
Communications. Mr. Delgado established that each Board member
had received a white binder with 2006 Appraisal District Director’s
Manual and Appraisal Review Board Manual. He briefly covered the
manual’s functions and importance. On pages 2 through 5, he
identified the amended and approved Chief Appraiser Goals for the
2006 Year. On pages 6 through 8, Mr. Delgado revealed a response to
a property owner who met with the Board under Public Comments in
reference to agricultural use benefits. On page 9 and the green tab, he
identified the 2005 Financial Reports through December 31, 2005 and
on page 49 and the blue tab, the 2006 Financial Report through
February 28, 2006. He stated that the reports were provided for
reference only and that approval action would be considered at the
next Board meeting.
ITEM #5
Public Comments. Mr. Delgado called for public comments. It was
determined that there would be public comments. Mr. Delgado read
the published procedures for addressing the Board.
Mr. Rodolfo Sanchez, Tax Assessor-Collector for Laredo ISD stated
that Mr. Delgado had gone earlier into great detail on the 2005
Property Value Study results and actions to be taken to address value
concerns and goals for adjustments. He stated he wanted to provide
feedback on two (2) items. He stated the audit of multiple
improvement exemptions should continue forward. He covered
briefly how it positively impacts LISD. He also stated that the tax
deferral audit project was important to LISD. He briefly addressed
the district’s needs in light of benefits to senior property owners. He
revealed that his office assists the Appraisal District with information
regarded to qualifications, benefits, and explanation of related laws to
the general public. Mr. Sanchez stated/confirmed that the State Value
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Appeal is in progress, they are in a grace period and is working with
the Appraisal District in the appeal process. He thanked the Board for
the Appraisal District’s assistance in the State Appeal and stated the
Appraisal District staff has done a good job in the process. He closed
by stating they will continue to work with staff on all matters.
Mr. Delgado called three (3) times for any other public comments.
There were no further public comments.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
ITEM #1
Approval of Board Minutes for November 22, 2005 and January
26, 2006. Motion by Vice-Chairman Garza to approve the Board
minutes. Second by Secretary Campos. Motion carried.
ITEM #2
Approval of the District’s Year 2005 Financial Report, ending
November 30, 2005. Motion by Vice-Chairman Garza to approve
the financial reports. Second by Council Member Garcia.
Motion carried.
ITEM #3
Approval of amendment to Webb County Appraisal District
Board Policy for the disposal of District personal property.
Motion by Secretary Campos to approve the policy amendment.
Second by Council Member Garcia. Motion carried.
ITEM #4
Approval, by resolution, of the District’s Investment Policy.
Motion by Council Member Garcia to approve the policy. Second
by Vice-Chairman Garza. Motion carried.
ITEM #5
Approval of a list of qualified investment training institutions for
educational requirements and financial institutions and
dealers/brokers authorized to sell investments of/to the District.
Motion by Secretary Campos to approve as presented. Second by
Vice-Chairman Garza. Motion carried.
ITEM #6
Approval, by resolution, of action for the disposal of District
personal property. Motion by Secretary Campos to approve as
presented. Second by Vice-Chairman Garza. Motion carried.
Mr. Delgado asked to clarify the motion. Chairman accepted the
request and directed Mr. Delgado to clarify the motion.
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The motion of approval was clarified to included:
• Retention of Vehicle Unit 2 by the District for business use as
identified in the agenda documents.
• Declaration of Vehicle Units #1, #3, #4, and #5 as excess and
surplus property and approved for disposal.
• Selection of Policy, Section 22.9, Disposal of Surplus Property by
Conveyance to Governmental or Nonprofit Entity as the option
selected for disposal.
• Conveyance of two (2) vehicles to the City of El Cenizo and two
(2) vehicles to the City of Rio Bravo.
• Establishment of benefits and fair consideration in return to the
Appraisal District and community as a result of the conveyance as
identified in the agenda documents.
• Conveyance price is set at $250.00 per vehicle.
• Authorization for the Chief Appraiser and Board Officers to
execute any and all documentation to complete this Board action.
Both Secretary Campos and Vice-Chairman Garza accepted the
amendment to their motions and stated same. Council Member
Garcia asked for information on the value of each vehicle and method
for its calculation. Mr. Delgado read from the agenda support
documentation to answer the questions. Board Attorney Juan Cruz
advised that the motion should also state that the purchasing
government units will pay all sales taxes, vehicle registration fees
and any other fees of transfer. Both Secretary Campos and ViceChairman Garza accepted the amendment to the motion as advised by
Board Attorney Cruz and they stated same. Chairman Molina called
for the question. Motion carried
OTHER BUSINESS AND ADJOURNMENT
ITEM #1
Next Board Meeting date. Mr. Delgado provided the Board members
with a recommendation for the next Board meeting to be at the call of
the Chairman. He established that the 2006 appraisal records must be
finalized, scheduled educational meetings and seminars and pending
litigation as reasons for the call of the Chairman for the next meeting.
Chairman Molina made that directive on consensus from the Board
members.
ITEM #2
Adjourn. Motion by Secretary Campos to adjourn. Second by
Vice-Chairman Garza. Motion carried.
Time:
6:48 p.m.
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APPROVED THIS 22ND DAY OF JUNE, 2006.
Juan Antonio Molina, Jr.
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pat Campos
SECRETARY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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