August 11, 2018
Texas

Farm reappraisal, a costly decision

Rubén Cantú | Del Rio News Herald | delrionewsherald.com

The reappraisal of Akuo Energy wind farm in Val Verde County took center stage in mid-July, when Val Verde Commissioners Court realized the adjustment would represent a $400,000 reduction in revenue for the fiscal year 2018-2019.

Other taxing entities will be also affected by the reappraisal.

The San Felipe-Del Rio Consolidated School Board is estimating a revenue loss of $660,000 because of the reappraisal of this property. The school district has announced it is evaluating several budget cutting measures to counter the revenue reduction.

The reappraisal of the Akuo Energy wind farm was authorized by the Val Verde County Appraisal District’s Appraisal Review Board this year.

Under Texas Tax Code, members of the board are appointed by the appraisal district board of directors.

According to the Appraisal Review Board Manual, January 2018, published by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the review board is a decision-making body that issues determinations of statutorily-authorized protests and challenges brought by property owners and taxing units.

Review board members are appointed to act independently of the appraisal district and to make fair and impartial determinations.

The review board may have to interpret the meaning of the Tax Code in some protests, such as legal requirements for exemption qualifications.

“When such interpretation is needed, the ARB should seek legal advice from its attorney,” the manual states.

The review board has the authority to change a value or correct the appraisal records on a protest, motion or challenge that has been filed.

The Val Verde County Appraisal District Board of Directors is comprised of chair Ramiro Guzman, vice chair Raymond Meza, secretary Lois Everett, and board members Pam Smith, David Torres, Pat Collins, Diana Salgado, Juan Gallegos, Rusty Sewalt, and Bea Munoz (ex-officio).

The Appraisal Review Board is comprised of chair Jim Wacasar, secretary Robert Clubb, and board members Belinda Reyes, B’Ann Vaughan, Diane Fitzgibbon, and Antonio Perea (alternate), according to the appraisal district’s website.

The Val Verde County Appraisal District board of directors has announced it will file a lawsuit in district court to challenge the reappraisal of the Akuo Energy wind farm.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/08/11/farm-reappraisal-a-costly-decision/