Judge Robert Schaffer instructed citizens to directly submit applications for Appraisal Review Board (ARB) service to the Harris County Appraisal District human resources division rather than through third parties like property tax consultants. A consultant had solicited applications on behalf of the ARB, which was misleading as the appraisal district and ARB are independent bodies and the ARB alone selects its members. Citizens must apply directly using the current application form available on the appraisal district website to be considered for ARB service beginning in January 2017.

1. Harris County Appraisal District News Release
For additional information contact Jack Barnett, Communications Officer, 713-957-5663
________________________________________________________________
October 11, 2016
Citizens Instructed to Apply Directly for Appraisal Review Board Service
Houston — District Judge Robert K. Schaffer, administrative judge for the state district
courts in Harris County, is instructing citizens to send applications for Appraisal Review
Board (ARB) service directly to him through the Harris County Appraisal District human
resources division.
A solicitation for ARB service was sent to realtors by O’Connor & Associates, a
property tax consultant, encouraging applicants to submit their applications to O’Connor &
Associates.
“All applications for ARB positions must be made directly by the applicant through
HCAD,” said Judge Schaffer. “It has come to my attention that third parties are soliciting
applicants for ARB positions. I will not accept applications submitted by third parties on
behalf of applicants for ARB positions. To be clear, there are no third parties authorized to
accept or submit applications for ARB service.”
The ARB was created by the Texas Legislature to provide an independent judicial
review of taxpayer protests of valuations established by the Harris County Appraisal
District (HCAD). Applications must be submitted to Judge Schaffer through the HCAD
human resources division and received no later than October 14, 2016, in order to be
considered. Service on the ARB would begin in January 2017.
The ARB is a citizen board that sits in panels of three to hear testimony and review
evidence in order to determine property owner protests which cannot be resolved
informally with HCAD.
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Roland Altinger, HCAD’s chief appraiser, said the O’Connor email is misleading the
public because it says they will submit the application “for consideration by the Harris
County Central Appraisal District on your behalf.”
“The appraisal district is not connected with the ARB nor does the district have any say
in the ARB selection process,” Altinger said. “In addition, the application requires specific
private and confidential information that should not be given to a third party. The Texas
Senate Select Committee On Property Tax Reform and Relief has focused attention on
transparency in the system throughout the state, so I do not think it is acceptable for a tax
agent to solicit members of an independent board that hears and decides on tax protests.”
More information, along with qualification for service and the application, are available
at www.hcad.org. Only current application forms from this site will be considered.
Application forms may also be obtained by calling the ARB executive office at
713.957.5265. If that number is busy, call the office of the Taxpayer Liaison Officer as a
backup contact at 713.957.7499.
Calls requesting information on ARB service requirements should go to
713.957.5265.
Applications should be submitted to:
Judge Robert K. Schaffer
c/o HCAD Human Resources
P.O. Box 920975
Houston, Texas 77292-0975
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