By Karen M. Wetzel
Guest Commentary

By now, Kendall County residents have received their new property tax assessments from the Kendall Appraisal District. When my dad and I went to protest the increased value on his property, we were told that this year there were not as many protests as last year.

I am sure this is good news for the KAD as last year’s increases caused a rush by residents to protest their property value assessments. However, little do the residents of Kendall County know about something else which should cause them concern.

Thanks to Kendall County resident Andy Calvert (retired consultant to state and local governments), who discovered something that every property tax payer should know about: After researching some of the assessed valuations for the Tapatio Springs subdivision, much to Mr. Calvert’s surprise, he found a huge disparity in the assessed valuations for property held by developers vs. property held by individual homeowners. There were literally hundreds of lots owned by  developers that were  assessed at a fraction of the true market value. 

Gary Eldridge, the chief appraiser, said that the Texas Legislature allows him to value the property less because it is “inventory” held for sale. The method of valuing “inventory” is left up to the chief appraiser, therefore it varies from one appraisal district to another.  Eldridge uses a formula of 30 to 40 percent of market value.   

The question needs to be asked if people here in Kendall County realize what a huge tax break is being given to developers; and to their detriment.

We were told that once the houses are sold, the assessed value will increase and be in line with the homes held by individuals. Let us assume the inventory homes are on the market for one year  (and many have been on the market for several years). This is lost revenue to the city, county  and school districts  and by all means, unfair to those individuals who own homes. It is lost revenue that can pay for schools, roads and bridges, fire and law enforcement protection, etc., without having to raise taxes.

I wonder how many of our elected officials even know about this section of the property code?

Karen M. Wetzel is a Boerne resident.