Webb Melder
About the Candidate
61 yr. resident of Montgomery County, BBA Sam Houston University, Builder/Construction business for 40 yrs. together with a licensed real estate agent & Broker for 53 yrs. Founding Chairman the Montgomery County 100 Club, Lifetime Director The 100 Club, Lifetime Director Montgomery County Fair Association, Conroe city councilman 2004-2008, Conroe Mayor 2008-2016, County appointed LSGCD Director, Elected LSGCD Director, Elected MCAD Director. I've been involved over these 61+ yrs. in many various civic organizations and fund raisers.
Reviewer Feedback (1)
This candidate was not interviewed and only submitted a questionnaire, therefore the max score possible is 75.
Questions & Answers
Full Name (exactly as you want it listed on your Candidate Page)
Webb Melder
webbmelder@gmail.com
Please provide a phone number where you can be reached for follow-up questions or to schedule an interview
713-824-8764
Please place a link here for your Campaign website address or FaceBook Page Link
n/a
What is your religion/faith tradition?
Christian
Please list any degrees or professional certifications that you have
BBA SHSU 1971 LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT / BROKER 53 yrs.
What is your occupation?
Real Estate Broker
What is your marital status?
Married 51 yrs.
Do you have children, if yes, how many?
1 Son 1 Daughter 5 grandkids
Are you the incumbent candidate in this race?
Incumbent
Please place the text you want posted under "Candidate Bio" here. (Required Question)
Offering Valued Experience
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No response provided.
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?
My focus remains on State compliance for MCAD as the State sets all our requirements together with financial compliance for our budget as presented to MCAD by our various taxing entities.
What qualifications are desired for MCAD BOD members and do you have experience in that area?
It helps to have a working knowledge of real estate market values, an understanding of MCAD's responsibility, a " level playing field " for the taxpayer and more. Yes, I feel I am qualified to serve as a MCAD Director.
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?
The State wanted to give the taxpayer " a seat at the table " when they decide to have 3 county wide elected Directors. The 3 Elected Directors are responsible for the approval of Appraisal Review Board members.
Name three key things the MCAD BOD is responsible for
1. Timely budge compliance 2. Approval of the Chief Appraiser 3. Legal compliance on all our issues, including employment
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?
The current taxing appraisal district system is set by the State, not MCAD. All changes will have to come from the State.
Have you ever protested your appraised evaluations? If elected what would suggest to help homeowners navigate appraisal process?
Never protested , . . all protesters should come properly prepared with honest qualified current market sales data, not just their opinion of value.
How would you ensure Montgomery County Appraisal District (MCAD) is completely transparent and the public understands how market values are derived?
Our meetings are public, our website provides a lot of information the public needs, and our staff is willing to help.
On the MCAD budgets what standards would you use to ensure that money is spent in a cost effective and constructive manner?
Open transparent discussion on financial matters & budgets and ask questions
If MCAD would like to purchase a new service or hire someone new that is not budgeted, how would you handle non budgeted items?
As per either our State requirements, or our approved policy, and do we have available budgeted funds that can cover the costs.
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?
This is the Appraisers job. We need qualified appraisers.
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?
Until the State establishes a law to help fix this, our growth is requiring MCAD hire more employees, appraisers, etc. You can't play 11 man football with 7 players, and our growth is all over the county.
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?
First, do we need the State' approval to do this ?
Do you think the various taxing authorities should be able to cut 5-10% from their budgets ?
The majority of the public will say yes, however, Directors do not have all the necessary information the taxing entities have.
Should "comparables" be within a certain distance of protested properties and what is a reasonable distance? Why or why not?
All comparables should be fair and applicable to the subject property
How should market values for homes or businesses be derived? Why?
Your question answers this,.... " Market Value " This is why protesters need qualified market data and not just personal opinions of value
Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?
I'm fine, thank you