Gary Beck
Reviewer Feedback (1)
Has 4 years experience on ARB (Appraisal Review Board); 2 years on the Appraisal Board
Questions & Answers
Full Name (exactly as you want it listed on your Candidate Page)
Gary Beck
gwbeck2@gmail.com
Please place a link here for your Campaign website address or FaceBook Page Link
I do not have a campaign website.
What is your religion/faith tradition?
Southern Baptist.
Please list any degrees or professional certifications that you have
Graduate - Conroe High School, May, 1965. Graduate - Sam Houston State University, BBA, December, 1975.
What is your occupation?
Retired in 2017 after 40 years as a petroleum landman in the oil & gas industry.
What is your marital status?
Married.
Do you have children, if yes, how many?
Yes. Two.
Are you the incumbent candidate in this race?
Incumbent
Party
Republican
County
Montgomery
What is the office you are running for?
Montgomery County Appraisal District Board
Why are you running for this office and what do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to continue using my experience of 4 years as a member of the MCAD Appraisal Review Board and my 2 current years as a member of the MCAD Board of Directors to represent each and every property owner in Montgomery County fairly and equitably in all matters before the Board.
What qualifications are desired for MCAD BOD members and do you have experience in that area?
Following my responses above, I believe the Position 1 for which I am seeking requires ARB experience, in addition to honesty, integrity and fairness in weighing evidence presented before the Board.
This MCAD BOD position is a county wide elected post by the voters, as opposed to being appointed by taxing authorities. What is the significance of this?
As an at-large (county wide elected) position, my obligation is to insure that each decision I am asked to render will be done so in fairness, integrity (to ALL Montgomery County property owners) and pursuant to current Texas Property Code requirements.
Name three key things the MCAD BOD is responsible for
1) Employment of the Chief Appraiser 2) MCAD Budget 3) Administration of ARB membership and schedule.
What is the relationship between local taxing units and appraisal district? Should the County Appraisal District (CAD) independently assess property value without any input from local taxing units?
This relationship is difficult (for me) to describe based upon my time serving on the Board. However, I do feel input from the local taxing units to be valuable and certainly to be considered by MCAD when assessing property values. I have always desired as much input and information as possible when value decisions were required in my previous employment. I think it certainly applies here.
Have you ever protested your appraised evaluations? If elected what would suggest to help homeowners navigate appraisal process?
Yes. An elusive goal, but I feel as much step-by-step process information as possible should be easily available to property owners who desire to protest their property taxes, especially for older, less technical property owners.
How would you ensure Montgomery County Appraisal District (MCAD) is completely transparent and the public understands how market values are derived?
I believe property owners should attend workshops available at several designated locations and, if possible, actually sign up to protest one’s property tax and learn first hand exactly what is involved. I have found that most MCAD employees are very helpful with property owners during this process.
On the MCAD budgets what standards would you use to ensure that money is spent in a cost effective and constructive manner?
Simply instituting regularly scheduled audits.
If MCAD would like to purchase a new service or hire someone new that is not budgeted, how would you handle non budgeted items?
Don’t have a clue.
As a Montgomery County Appraisal Board of Director (MCAD BOD) how will you address that property value assessments are fair across the county and no special treatment is provided to any individuals or businesses?
As mentioned, regularly scheduled audits. Come before the Board and speak of your concerns. I have always found these are heard and addressed.
Because of the high growth in Montgomery County, there is a much higher incident of omitted properties. If elected, how would you address this issue?
By allowing the Chief Appraiser and staff to continue the process currently instituted to add needed appraisers and utilize new technology to streamline the process.
Property Values are required to be appraised at market values in January of each year. {Sec. 23.01(a) of the tax code}. In order to make any changes to annual appraisal process, the tax code will need to be updated to provide for greater flexibility in market analysis. If elected how would you address this issue?
I see the need, but I am only one person. I have made, and will continue to make, (or put forth) ideas and possible improvements.
Do you think the various taxing authorities should be able to cut 5-10% from their budgets ?
I have no opinion on this.
Should "comparables" be within a certain distance of protested properties and what is a reasonable distance? Why or why not?
I have no opinion on this.
How should market values for homes or businesses be derived? Why?
No opinion.
Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?
No.
MCTP Interview Video
https://youtu.be/0D8qUF6WXGw