MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The West Galveston Island Property Owners Association Member’s meeting. President Jerry Mohn called the meeting late to order at 9:10 a.m. since the breakfast burritos were late in coming. A quorum of Directors was present with the attendance of: Ken Diestler – Spanish Grant Bay, Peggy Zahler – Spanish Grant Beachside, Al Galli – Jamaica Beach, Matt Wigle – Acapulco Village, Lee Slataper – Pirates Beach/Cove, Clay Lewis – Sportsman Road, Greg Mack – Pointe San Luis, Jeff Southard – Dunes of the West, Tom Boothe – Condos, John Lightfoot – Bermuda Beach, Carolyn Farmer – Terramar Beach, and Lee Petros – Pointe West Condo Asso..
Introductions of Officials and Corporate Sponsors were held. Judge Jim Schweitzer was introduced as well as District 6 City Council Member Dianna Puccetti and the guest speaker, Galveston County Tax Assessor/Collector Cheryl Johnson.
Corporate sponsors Peggy Zahler from JCS Federal Credit Union, Marie Robb from Coastal Solutions, and Lois Robinson from Prudential Gary Greene Realtors were introduced.
Newsletter: Peggy Zahler introduced the first Galveston Westender Newsletter put out by the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association. The newsletter can be viewed on www.galvestonwestender.com. The WGIPOA appreciate the efforts of Chair Peggy Zahler and Committee members Marty Bilek, Lee Slataper, Tom Boothe, and Brad Boney. The newsletter will be published quarterly and the next one should be in July/August time frame. All members are invited to submit articles for the newsletter.
District 6 Happenings: City Council Member Dianna Puccetti advised the following were approved and are underway:
Dianna talked about bringing back what the voters decided in 1998 and that is a 6-1 Plan where the number of single members districts would be reduced to four and they would be separated by a north-south boundary. Two council members and the mayor would be elected at-large. This program was never initiated because the Justice Department advised it was in violation of the voting rights act. Now that the 2010 census is done, the demographics have changed and it is time to look at the 6-1 plan again. Currently, the District 6 population is the most stable. If the City goes to a 4-2-1 or 6-1 plan, Dianna would run at large.
Dianna will have Code Enforcement investigate the derelict and illegal signs on FM 3005. She advised for anyone to call the Planning Department for code enforcement and to request the "Clean Team".
Dianna talked about how the City should get more responsive to economic development and have hired former Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough for the position to make it a reality.
As far as public housing, Magnolia Homes will be rebuilt with mixed income and mixed homes in the project.
There is a stalement for Bermuda Beach Drive now with FEMA, US Fish, and the GLO and are trying to resolve issues.
Scholes Airport had a ribbon cutting ceremony for rehabilitation and renovation. It is listed as one of the top 100 general aviation airports, especially for helicopters to go off shore.
Cheryl Johnson – Galveston County Tax Assessor/Collector:
Cheryl provided another fact filling presentation in how to protest your tax appraisal. The following information is from the power point presentation provided by Cheryl. If anyone would like a copy of the power point to please let me know.
Effectively Protest Your Property Value
You are about to learn…
Tax Facts
Fact #1: Property taxes are a reliable source of funding local government services (schools, police and fire protection, the courts, water and sewer, emergency management, etc.).
Fact #2: More than half of all Texas homeowners rate property appraisals and property taxes as a major concern.
Tax Puzzle between the Texas Legislature and the Appraisal
District
Very Important Dates on the Property Tax Calendar
January 1 - The date property is valued for that tax year
April15th-The last day for businesses to render value of personal property
May 31st*-Last day to schedule a conference with an appraiser
* Or 30 days from the date of the appraisal notice – whichever is later
Should I Protest?
State law requires your property to be valued by the appraisal district at market value. What is your property worth? What is its market value?
How Do CADs Determine Value?
What is a Neighborhood?
What Is the Process?
If protesting value for condition, present documentation:
Sales & Foreclosures!!!
At the ARB Hearing
- Leave value alone
- Increase value
- Decrease value
Not Satisfied?
Request binding arbitration (pay fee of $250 for expedited or $500 for standard to Chief Appraiser. If successful refunded all but $50 of fee)
OR File a lawsuit in District Court
Have a Problem?
Do Your Homework!
Confirm CAD information and gather data:
Available
on the GCAD Website
Available
on the HCAD Website
Harris County is technologically advanced and offers iFile and iSettle. All counties will soon be required to offer this protest method.
And in Harris County - How are iFile & iSettle Doing?
Important Tips & Tools
Be Your Own Best Friend
Your Goal - To provide information unique about your property that makes it less valuable than the sales or others it is being compared to. You have the advantage! A high rate of success results when property owners do their homework and present a reasonable case. Protesting your property value is the most effective and immediate form of tax relief available.
Interesting Tidbit
What Else Can You Do?
It’s YOUR government and you need to participate!
In conclusion….Mark Twain said that, "The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is the taxidermist leaves the skin."
Program provided courtesy of Cheryl E. Johnson, RTA
Galveston County Tax Assessor/Collector
Meeting adjourned at 11:20 PM