Property Appraisal Increases in Rockwall Raise Residents’ Concerns

What you should know before protesting your appraisal

(ROCKWALL, TX – May 12, 2016) Many Rockwall property owners have expressed surprise, concern and even anger since they received their tax appraisal letters. Many have noted significant increases in assessed value. By law, every property owner has the right to protest their appraisals, and they have until May 31, 2016 to do so. Before starting the process, there are a few key things to consider.

The tax appraisal value is not done by the city, the county, or the school district; it is done by the Rockwall Central Appraisal District, which is a separate legal entity, established for this purpose by state law. The Chief Appraiser, hired by an appointed five-member Board of Directors, assesses the value of properties each year based on a number of factors, including improvements made to the property, and local market analysis. State law requires that “market value” is the basis for these appraisals.

The Chief Appraiser has indicated that she has attempted in the last year to provide a more accurate representation of values, which is the primary reason values have increased this year. When residents disagree with the Chief Appraiser’s assessments of value, they can challenge those appraisals with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The board is comprised of residents of Rockwall County who are appointed by the five-member Board of Directors of the Rockwall Central Appraisal District. The ARB exists solely to consider property owners’ appeals of assessed value.

In cases involving increases in assessed values, no more than a 10% increase may be used in each of the first two tax years following the reappraisal, due to the Homestead Cap. Any and all remaining assessed value increases are applicable to the third and subsequent tax years. Property owners are encouraged to consider the impact of reappraisals for the full three-year period as they decide whether or not they will challenge the appraisal by filing a protest of the value established by the Chief Appraiser.

Regarding the City of Rockwall taxes, residents have two separate opportunities to affect change and provide input. The first opportunity to make your voice heard is if you decide to protest your assessed values with the Appraisal Review Board. If you are dissatisfied with the ARB assessed value, you have the right to challenge the assessment in a local court. Property owners’ second opportunity is to attend the meetings of each taxing entity at the time budget adoption and tax rates are being considered. For example, a public hearing is required prior to the adoption of the City’s budget for the coming year. If an increase in the Effective Tax Rate is being considered in any given year, separate public hearings and public notice requirements are also applicable.

For more information about the Rockwall Central Appraisal District and the protest process, please visit their website at rockwallcad.com or call them at 972.771.2034.

Submitted by Lauri Dodd, Public Information Officer / Marketing, City of Rockwall.

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