Ensure Fair and Accurate Property Tax Appraisals

Dick recognizes that the sole mission of the Travis Central Appraisal District’s (TCAD) is to set fair and accurate property values throughout Travis County. Equal and uniform valuation is mandated by the Texas Constitution.

Property appraisal is a technical job and must be kept separate from the political considerations that school boards, city councils and county commissioners weigh in setting the tax rate applied to property values. Your tax bill is set only after both steps of the process – appraisal, then tax rate – have been completed.

An appraisal district acts like the scales at the grocery store - it doesn’t set prices; it just measures the weight. It’s the local taxing authorities that set the price, calculating how much is needed to support our schools, police, roads, and parks.

Strengthen Taxpayer Protection

Property owners can protest the appraisal set by TCAD through appeals to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) – citizens appointed by the Board of Directors to impartially weigh evidence brought by the taxpayer disputing their valuation. In choosing members of the ARB, directors should look for fair-minded people who can listen to both sides and accurately apply the rules governing valuation. Appraisals are controlled by professional standards, state law and oversight by the state comptroller. The ARB has no role in setting tax rates.

Guarantee efficient use of taxpayer dollars

The Board of Directors is responsible for hiring the chief appraiser and approving the district’s budget. Dick will ensure that TCAD carries out its mission as efficiently as possible, minimizing the cost to taxpayers of supporting its operation.

Preserve the Integrity of TCAD

Dick served for many years as a member, then chairman, of the Board of Directors of the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD), appointed by the Austin ISD school board. Last year the Legislature created three new positions to the board to be chosen in a countywide election on May 4. Motivated by a commitment to preserving the integrity of the district from inappropriate political interference and protecting its vital role in our property tax system, Dick stepped forward to ask the voters to return him to the TCAD Board.