August 3rd Speaker - Marya Crigler

Marya Crigler is the Chief Appraiser, Travis Central Appraisal District.  She shared a multi-colored one-page handout of a power point presentation that provided background statistics, current situations, and trends relating to her topic, and then began a 25-minute presentation that was packed with information.  Following is a sampling of interesting facts.

      *Residential property values are appraised by law at market value

           -specific features of property are gleaned from real estate descriptions

           -assessors are forbidden by law to enter or examine the inside of a residence

      *In the last year 102,000 protests of real estate assessments were processed 

           -the protest process has been streamlined by requiring appointments

                and denying walk-ins.  Wait is now no more than 15 minutes

           -May 31 is deadline for protests (except for very unusual circumstances or clerical error)

     *Taxing process is comprised of three steps

           -Appraisal at market value

                 Austin has a strong market, no sign of slowing, approx. 7% growth in past year

                 Growth based on creation of new jobs, supply and demand  

          - Tax Rate

                 That work going on now

                 Calculate effective rate to match money from last year (not to exceed more than 8% increase)

                 Also determine effective rate to meet budget projections

                 Exemption mentioned was the over-65 homestead exemption, it can reduce school tax 54%

Due to great interest in the assessment process and Marya's ease in answering multiple questions, Bruce Elfant,Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar, will be returning this fall for his presentation.