Thursday, March 28, 2024

Chief appraiser resigns / Board says taxing entities' budget deadlines will be met

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Chief Appraiser Eddie Roe has resigned from the Hood Central Appraisal District.

His resignation comes as local taxing entities are preparing to enter into their annual budget process. The HCAD plays an important role in those processes by providing information about anticipated property tax revenues.

HCAD board chairman Eddie Rodriquez said that Roe did not state a reason when he notified the board of his resignation Tuesday evening. However, Roe provided a written statement to the Hood County News on Wednesday afternoon after the newspaper reached out for comment.

“I really just feel like it takes a special breed and personality to take on the responsibility of Chief Appraiser in any county,” Roe stated in an email. “I’ve come to the realization that this just isn’t me. I’ve sort of been battling internal conflict with who I am versus who I need to be for the last 2 years of my 3 year tenure as Chief Appraiser. The taxing entities and taxpayers of Hood county deserve a Chief Appraiser that is happy and willing to devote their full attention to the position.”

He went on to thank the HCAD board, staff, and others who were instrumental to his appraisal career, and also stated that the board is "working diligently to appoint an interim and permanently fill this vacancy."

Roe was named interim chief appraiser for the HCAD in March 2020 and was given the permanent position in May of that year. He replaced longtime Chief Appraiser Greg Stewart, who retired after having worked for that office since February 1992.

Rodriquez, who serves on the Granbury City Council, said that Roe’s resignation was not effective immediately. He said that Roe proposed a departure date of June 15.

Rodriquez indicated that the board expects Roe’s departure to have no negative impacts on taxing entities.

“The board is currently looking at different options for an interim chief appraiser,” he said. “And the HCAD will continue to move forward with the personnel that is currently in place. It’s self-sufficient.”

County Judge Ron Massingill said he was notified by two board members of the resignation as a courtesy and that the board members offered reassurances that the office will run smoothly.

“I was assured that the acting chief appraiser would be well qualified, that all the deadlines were expected to be met,” Massingill told the Hood County News. He indicated that the board has “someone in mind” who “could immediately step in and meet all the expected deadlines.”

The county judge added that in his view the HCAD board is “doing an excellent job.”