WASHINGTON CO. APPRAISAL DISTRICT SENDING OUT APPRAISAL NOTICES
Property appraisal notices are being sent out to Washington County property owners.
Washington County Chief Appraiser Dyann White says around 25,000 notices have been mailed out thus far for residential, land and commercial real estate, with a protest deadline of June 1st. Other notices for oil and gas, industrial and business personal property are expected to go out on May 26th, and those will have a protest deadline of 30 days from when they go out in the mail.
According to White, increases in preliminary average homestead market values have stayed relatively flat. She says rural land has held fairly steady, but there has been growth in value per acre for small tracts of land 5 acres and under, as well as the largest tracts 300 acres and up, with demand for rural subdivisions serving as a contributor. However, some areas, such as the City of Brenham, saw a decrease year-over-year in average homestead values, though she notes that new construction serves to help offset that.
As for preliminary average taxable values for homesteads, White says they are continuing to rise, even in some situations where the market value is falling.
Comparisons of preliminary average homestead values across Washington County’s taxing units can be seen here. The comparisons include both average values and median values, as White says taxing units are required to show in their budgets how proposed tax increases affect a median value homestead.
Based off of conversations with lawmakers and data they have asked for, White expects they will continue to focus on property tax reform during the next legislative session, with potential options being further increasing homestead exemptions and putting limitations on how often reappraisals can be performed.
Property owners are encouraged to visit the appraisal district office or call at 979-277-3740 if they have questions. Appointments with an appraiser for specific issues are available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while general questions can be addressed by walk-in Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.