2. Q: Are homes in Bosque County really being overvalued?

A: Absolutely. The state audit found that most school districts in Bosque County exceeded the state’s acceptable margin for property value accuracy. This isn’t just a hot real estate market—it’s a systemic problem. BCAD has continued to increase property values beyond what the State of Texas itself estimated. That’s not appreciation. It’s a measurable and documented gap between what homes are worth and what BCAD claims they’re worth. That’s a red flag, not a coincidence.

3. Q: What’s going on with BCAD’s reserve funds?

A: In 2024, BCAD stockpiled exactly $424,602.57 in non-operating reserve funds, including vague categories like "technology" and "litigation." These funds are not tied to daily operations, and there's no public plan explaining how this money will benefit taxpayers. Meanwhile, residents are expected to pay more year after year. Growing reserves with no clear accountability is a serious concern, especially when those funds may be used without taxpayer input.

4. Q: Is BCAD planning a new building?

A: All signs point to yes, and it’s likely to cost taxpayers millions. Budget documents and public comments suggest that BCAD is quietly preparing for a large-scale facility project. Yet there has been no formal public presentation, no community vote, and little transparency. Most residents are still unaware this is even on the table. If your taxes feel higher, this kind of backdoor capital planning could be one reason why.

5. Q: Why is the Chief Appraiser’s salary raising eyebrows—and why was it revisited by the board?

A: In the first version of the 2025 budget, the Chief Appraiser’s salary jumped from $88,005 to $96,806—a nearly 10% raise. After public scrutiny, it was lowered to $92,405 in the adopted budget—a 5% raise. But the issue didn’t end there. The salary appeared again on the December board meeting agenda. The Deputy Chief Appraiser’s salary followed a similar pattern—first raised 10%, then scaled back to a 5% increase. These raises were approved while many residents were being priced out of their homes due to soaring appraisals.

6. Q: Are some properties being treated more favorably than others?

A: Public records show inconsistent valuations between similar properties, raising serious questions about fairness and objectivity. While not illegal on its own, the pattern of lower-than-expected valuations for certain homes—especially those connected to insiders or allies—raises public confidence concerns about the entire process. This isn’t just about mistakes; it’s about whether everyone is truly being treated equally.

7. Q: Are property inspections actually happening—or are they just estimating values?

A: In many cases, BCAD does not physically inspect properties at all. Instead, they rely on drive-by observations, satellite images, or computer-generated models. This practice is legal but highly error-prone—especially in rural areas where a photo or software model can't capture structural damage, renovations, or living conditions.

8. Q: What can taxpayers do if they believe something is wrong?

A: You have more power than you think! Taxpayers can:

• Protest their appraisals

• Submit open records requests

• Attend BCAD board meetings

• Contact local officials

• Sign and share the petition

• Share your story

The appraisal process is supposed to serve the public, not operate above it. When citizens stay quiet, questionable practices continue. When citizens speak up, change becomes possible—and accountability becomes unavoidable.

Transparency doesn’t happen on its own. 

It happens when taxpayers ask hard questions and demand honest answers!