The head of Information Systems at the Tarrant Appraisal District was suspended Monday after a Star-Telegram inquiry into a recording of the official telling coworkers he supported creating a “false narrative” for the media about TAD’s tech issues.

TAD is responsible for appraising property values in Tarrant County; these appraisals are used to determine property tax bills. The agency came under fire in April when TAD launched a website that lacked critical functionality the same week that property value notices were posted.

In the recording, which was made during a meeting with staff in August, Cal Wood discusses a strategy for sharing news of the agency’s technological situation. The individual who made the recording wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

“I’m OK with creating a false narrative that distances the truth from the media,” Wood can be heard saying in the recording. “That’s where I’m gonna have to really shut up today.”

Later in the recording, Wood says: “The further you create the truth from what’s being reported, the better you are. Because what do we need? Time, patience and money.”

He repeated the same refrain — “I need time, patience and money” — throughout the TAD board’s May meeting when he was called upon to answer for the website’s issues.

When the Star-Telegram requested a comment from Wood, TAD did not make him available. Wood did not return phone calls, text messages or emails seeking comment.

The Star-Telegram shared the contents of the recording with Chief Appraiser Jeff Law on Thursday. Law said he would look into it, and on Monday morning the agency issued a statement saying that Law notified the board of the recording and “launched a full investigation of the circumstances.” Wood has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The statements made in a portion of an audio recording of a Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) Director do not reflect the values of TAD’s board of directors nor their management of TAD. TAD is committed to providing the public and the media accurate, factual information related to its duties, responsibilities and actions,” the statement said.

Issues with the website began in October when it was taken down for planned security updates, said Law.

At the board’s March meeting, Law and Wood assured the board and the public that the website would be ready for property tax season.

“It is our plan to have the online protest available and I believe the plan will work,” Law said when the Star-Telegram asked in March if the automated market review tool would be available.

But when it launched, the new TAD.org failed to load for many visitors. Those who were able to access the site couldn’t use the automated market review tool until weeks into the 30-day period taxpayers are given to protest their appraisals. Access to this tool is required by law.

After public outcry, including a letter from Keller Mayor Armin Mizani, Law extended the protest deadline from May 15 to May 30.

During the board’s May meeting, Wood and Law blamed the slow speed on foreign “crawlers” and automated bots — specifically from India — that were searching TAD’s public data.

Board member Rich DeOtte was unsatisfied with the explanation.

“I think we’re sort of covering up the truth,” DeOtte said at the time. “Obviously this has been a disappointing roll out, and I think we need to be truthful about that happened.”

News of the recording comes amid disagreement between board members on confidence in Law’s leadership.

Law was issued a letter of repair in April which outlined 11 items to be completed in 90 days, such as developing a plan to repair the agency’s reputation and ensuring that the agency’s computer systems and website comply with statutory requirements.

Failure to resolve the issues could result in dismissal, the letter concluded.

Earlier this month, the board took a 3-2 vote of confidence in Law. Tony Pompa, JR Martinez and Jungus Jordan voted yes. Rich DeOtte and Vince Puente voted no.

At the same meeting, the board heard from former TAD employee Patricia Nolan in a closed session. She shared what she said in the meeting with the Star-Telegram.

The website launch “was just a series of screw-ups,” Nolan said, and it still does not function. In response, Law said Nolan’s concerns have been addressed.

This story was originally published August 21, 2023, 11:58 AM.