After Chief Appraiser Jeff Law sent a letter at odds which a conclusion drawn during a meeting last week, taxing entities are threatening to sue.
MADELEINE COOK mcook@star-telegram.com
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By Jess Hardin
Updated March 10, 2023 4:35 PM
During a March 3 meeting to discuss filling board chair Kathryn Wilemon’s seat, Tarrant Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Jeff Law was clear: the path forward isn’t legally prescribed in Texas tax code.
Wilemon was recalled on Feb. 21 by Keller City Council. She resigned the next day.
Law said, “The recall does not supersede the vacancy, and the vacancy does not supersede the recall.”
However, in a letter sent the same day to taxing entities, he wrote something very different: “Since the recall process was only initiated, it is now canceled as a result of the vacancy.”
The discrepancy has taxing entities in receipt of the letter threatening lawsuits against TAD.
Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells wrote Law on Friday and urged him to pursue the recall process. He wrote that the county believes the recall process prevails over the vacancy process.
“The recall process allows taxing entities to exercise oversight of TAD Board Members who received their votes and ensures accountability,” Sorrells wrote.
This letter was sent today to the Tarrant Appraisal District on behalf of Tarrant County.
— Tim O'Hare, Tarrant County Judge (@TimothyOHare) March 10, 2023
The public trust in TAD must be restored. Tarrant County taxpayers deserve transparency. We will use the authority of this office to see to it they get it. pic.twitter.com/s4YKRuaAdn
The county’s letter comes a day after a similar one from Keller Mayor Armin Mizani, in which he threatened legal action against the agency.
The City of Keller will not stand idle and is prepared to take legal action if necessary to ensure taxpayers' voices are not silenced. pic.twitter.com/7A7O3VdEyN
— Armin Mizani (@ArminMizaniTX) March 9, 2023
When the Star-Telegram inquired about the discrepancy between the March 3 meeting and the letter’s content, Law did not reply.
His assistant Julie Wooddell wrote, “Jeff referenced ‘The Appraisal District’s attorney, that provides council to the board, provided advice to the board concerning these two provisions.’ Jeff was only reflecting what the board’s advised them on. I hope that is helpful.”
County Judge Tim O’Hare announced the letter in a Twitter post.
“The public trust in TAD must be restored,” he wrote. “Tarrant County taxpayers deserve transparency. We will use the authority of this office to see if they get it.”
This story was originally published March 10, 2023, 4:28 PM.