Published: May 19, 2008 10:51 am         

Through the roof

Some homeowners hitting the ceiling over

By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com

Raise property values and – some contend – taxing entities can increase tax revenues without its elected officials having to vote for unpopular tax rate hikes.

This is one theory, according to some county residents.

On May 9, the Palo Pinto County Appraisal District sent out notices of 2008 proposed property values. As a result, some residents received “pink slips” on property value increases, if their value increased over $1,000, according to the PPCAD.

Taxing entities – such as school districts, the county, municipalities and the hospital district – use these rates to help set their budget for the next fiscal year.

Although new industries and homes are popping up – supposedly bringing in additional tax revenue – it appears some older homes are also bearing the tax brunt.

Southeast surprise
Several southeast Mineral Wells residents were surprised by significant increases on aging structures – with increases of close to $20,000 to $30,000 over their 2007 values.

Retired Vietnam veteran John McCarthy has an over-65 homestead cap on his property value. However, his structure value alone rose 37 percent over last year’s appraisal.

McCarthy is one of many county residents with the new cap on school district rates. Granted he has a new metal roof – considered an improvement – McCarthy and others question why they see such large increases in structure value.

“How have they figured property values for this community?” he asked.

Kitty Walker and Ellie and Richie Starr, who live one block from McCarthy, also were somewhat stunned by their appraisal notice.

“I was surprised … I was not pleased,” said Walker, who added that her value went up $18,000 with “no improvements of any kind.”

“There needs to be improvements. I’d hate to think what the value would be then,” she added.

Similarly, the Starrs questioned their rate, which rose from $73,000 to $103,000 before the homestead cap.

When they purchased their home nine years ago, the appraised value “started out $45,000. In eight to nine years it has gone up from $45,000 to $73,000 and in one year it went from $73,000 to $103,000,” said Richie Starr who said they have not improved their structure.

“I wish I could find somebody that would pay that right now. I’d sell it to them,” he said.

To top it off, according to Starr, the neighborhood has slid downhill since they purchased their home.

Appealing scenario
Palo Pinto County property owners have until June 9 to protest a valuation hike – subject to a 30-day period from the May 9 mailing date.

According to the PPCAD, citizens may talk to an appraiser, but must call to get on a list for the appraiser to call back.

To appeal, citizens must file a written protest with the Palo Pinto County Appraisal Review Board before June 9. According to the statements, hearings begin on June 10.

Protest forms should be included with the proposed value statements, however, property owners may protest by letter that includes: owner’s name, the property description and the specific appraisal action in dispute.

Walker said she thought it was funny to see a dispute form tucked into her statement envelope. “Maybe it’s been in there in the past; I don’t remember.”

She said she thought perhaps the thought is, “If people don’t dispute, then that’s what they get.”

It seems if this scenario occurs, then future overall appraised values could increase to reflect those who don’t dispute.

Open your mail
If citizens did not receive a property value “pink slip,” they might not have an increase. Because of the short turn-around for protesting, it might be wise to call the appraisal district to make sure the form is not missing.

One resident, who had not yet received his statement and did not want his name in the paper, called this typical “government – they give it to you with one hand, but take it back with the other one.”

He said he thought he recently saw appraisal staff taking photos from the curb and offered a suggestion to people getting replacement roofs – go with the same type and color of roof to avoid appearing as an improvement. He said the same applies to exterior paint.

So what is the exact process the Palo Pinto County Appraisal District board – a board appointed by taxing entities, not elected by citizens – uses to determine hikes in the value of aging homes?

The Index was not able to find answers to how the process worked this year. When the newspaper called Chief Appraiser Donna Rhoades Thursday morning, she was reportedly out of the office through the end of last week and unavailable for comment until Monday.