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A Brief History of the Dallas Central Appraisal District In 1979 the Texas Legislature, reacting to a chronic and growing problem of inequitable and unfair property taxation, passed new legislation in Senate Bill 621 requiring that a centralized agency be established in each county. This agency, called a "Central Appraisal District" was to be removed from the political arena in order to protect the need for fair and impartial valuations and was to be managed by a professional staff of appraisal personnel and administrators. By law, each person employed by an appraisal district having the authority to render a judgment of value or exemption status was required to receive state-mandated education, pass progressively more challenging examinations and, after five years, be licensed as a Professional Appraiser. Prior to 1979, local governments in Texas could have their own appraisal office. As a result, many employed untrained and unqualified personnel to administer these offices. Property owners often received as many as three to four notices of valuation on the same property from various taxing entities. This was possible with cities, school districts, and counties and, in many cases, special districts, each having their own tax office. Frequently these notices of valuation would reflect different values. A property owner was required to visit multiple offices and settle a value issue multiple times. As one can imagine, the process was complex, often mismanaged and from time-to-time influenced by politics more than any other issue. It was because of these problems that the Legislature required the consolidation and professionalization of the appraisal process. Today the Dallas Central Appraisal District operates in all of Dallas County and parts of Denton, Collin, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis and Tarrant Counties. We cover over 900 square miles of area and are responsible for appraising 780,000 parcels of property for over 2,000,000 citizens. We serve fifty local governments of varying types. We accomplish this task with only 249 employees, funded with an operating budget of $14.8 million dollars. The DCAD is managed and operated much like a corporation. We have a Board of Directors which is appointed and/or elected by the combined stockholders (cities, schools and County of Dallas). They in turn appoint a CEO (Chief Appraiser) who is responsible for the daily operation of the agency. Like many large corporations, we operate with a management plan that annually outlines what we are to achieve and what costs are associated therein as well as when each task will be completed. Our employees work under a merit salary plan with no automatic salary or cost of living adjustments. Capital projects are undertaken only when they can be cost justified by documented estimates. Financial audits are conducted annually by an outside auditing firm which reports directly to the Board of Directors.The State of Texas conducts an annual performance audit of the accuracy of the DCAD’s appraisal effort. The DCAD’s performance is judged exemplary by the State. Our annual cost of operation is the lowest per parcel of any of the major appraisal districts in the state. Our accuracy of appraisal, as measured statistically by the State of Texas is the highest of any of the major appraisal districts. In summary, the DCAD has achieved the Legislative goals outlined by the Legislature in 1979. We are not satisfied, however, to only achieve those goals. As we approach the 21st Century we are in the process of implementing new technologies such as Geographic Information Systems, Document Scanning and Imaging, Digital Photography of each property parcel and laptop computers for field work support. We pledge to continue to strive toward more accurate appraisals and increased efficiency and accessibility to the information of the DCAD for all our customers and citizens.
Mission Statement of the Dallas Central Appraisal District
The Dallas Central Appraisal District is charged by the citizens and communities it serves to follow the Constitution of the State of Texas and its applicable laws as enacted by the Legislature. In accomplishing this charge, the DCAD is also expected to excel in other areas as well. The DCAD is to maintain an open and accessible facility and system which allows every citizen access to its data and records as prescribed by law. The conduct of its staff is to be courteous and professional in all respects. The DCAD staff is expected to be knowledgeable and contemporary in technology, methods of appraisal and law. Also, each member of the staff is to be well-trained and capable in the performance of their duties. Fair and equitable consideration and treatment of all with whom it comes in contact is expected. In addition to the customers served, the DCAD is to be a resource to each of the communities served. The DCAD should work to assist every customer and community with each problem, seeking to be a part of the solution and not a contributor to the problem. In the conduct of its work, the DCAD is expected to operate efficiently. In summary, the DCAD is expected to deliver the highest quality products and services at the lowest unit cost possible while maintaining an equally high level of accessibility and accuracy. |
