CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Editor's note: This story will be updated on 5/3/2024 to reflect the candidates running for the At-Large Place 3 position.
As the May 4 election closes in, a key race to keep an eye on is the Nueces County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
This year is the first that someone can get voted onto the board, meaning this election will put more influence into the hands of voters. Three individuals will be elected onto the board, which will help provide balance between everyday tax payers and the appraisal district office.
It's a move Nueces County Appraisal District Board of Directors, At-Large Place 1 candidate Mark Lawing said will greatly benefit taxpayers.
"See exactly what's going on in our appraisal district, being able to be transparent, checks and balances and just making sure that everything is running as it should be for the taxpayer," Lawing said.
The Appraisal District Board does not determine property valuations, but will help shape policy surrounding them. It's something At-Large Place 2 candidate Corbett Pool said he wants to clarify to the public.
"You can have your appraisal go up, but if the tax rate comes down, your actually paying less or the same, so that's what we need to work towards," Pool said.
At-Large Place 2 candidate John Cudd said he feels the current policies aren't balanced, something he said he wants to see changed.
"The board creates policy and right now, the policies are slanted for the taxing entities," Cudd said.
Due to the constant rise of inflation, some are calling for more breathing room. A change At-Large Place 1 candidate James Magill said is essential for property owners.
"To instill periodic reappraisals, with that, the state of Texas does not require us to reappraise property every year, it actually says that we can reappraise properties one time out of every three years," Magill said.