CAD Board to include voter input

LIBERTY — As the deadline for candidates to file the necessary paperwork for a place on the May ballot came and went, candidates The Central Appraisal District Board of Directors is nothing new as the group oversees the CAD, including hiring a Chief Appraiser, budgeting responsibilities, and other duties under the Tax Code.

Previously, the board consisted of five voting positions selected by government entities across the county and the Tax Assessor-Collector in an advisory role.

Now, the board will consist of nine members, including the five appointees and the Tax Assessor, who will now be a voting member, along with the three members selected by the voters.

Under the new structure approved by the 88th Texas Legislature and voters last November as a part of HJR 2, the board will now appoint members of the Appraisal Review Board, which is the body that hears taxpayer protests. Previously, those appointments were made by a District Judge.

This only impacts counties with a population of more than 75,000, which Liberty County exceeds.

Two of the three positions will be uncontested, with Emily Cook running unopposed for Position 1. In the race for Position 2, Haleigh Shanks is also running unopposed.

The only contested race is for Position 3, featuring Josh Townsend and Josh Fitzgerald.