Gary W. Beck
Party
r
Website
Born
November 26, 1946
Education
BBA Sam Houston State University, December, 1975
Occupation
Retired Petroleum Landman
Religion
Baptist
Marital
Married
declared
U.S. Army, Active Duty: 2/8/1968 to 4/15/1968, Ft. Polk, Louisiana; 4/16/1968 to 12/15/1968: Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. 1/6/1969 to 1/6/1970: 5/42nd Artillery Battalion, II Field Force, III Corp area of the Republic of South Vietnam. Served in Fire Direction Control adjusting 155 MM artillery fire on enemy targets in support of American, Australian, New Zealand and Thai ground forces. Honorable Discharge effective 2/8/1974.
1976 to 2016: Professional Petroleum Landman - Negotiated and prepared a multitude of oil and gas instruments and agreements to grant clients the right to explore for and produce wells on behalf of a variety of major and mid-range oil & gas firms including Damson Oil Cprporation, Anadarko Production Company, Chevron, Mobil Oil and others over a myriad of producing basins in Texas, and other basins in the Lower 48 and Canada. Retired in July, 2016.
I served as a member of the Montgomery County Appraisal Review Board for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
MCTP Avg Score of: 82 Source
Submitted by john wertz on 2024-04-16 21:39:14
Pros:
Served as a member of the Montgomery County Appraisal Review Board for multiple years (2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022).
References to us as a conservative
Experience in contract impotatant negotiation as petroleum landman
Vietnam Veteran
Cons:
* Relative Unknown to the committee
Questionnaire
▾ General
Why are you running for this office and what do you hope to accomplish?
After retiring from the oil & gas industry in July, 2016, I served on the Montgomery County Appraisal Review Board for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, where I heard and participated in deciding the outcome of (approximately) 30 to 40 tax protests during each day of the week beginning in May and continuing through August of each year, (and sometimes into September, October and November of those years). I believe my experience in that capacity during those years will allow my continued (experienced) analysis of the current MCAD tax protest process and provide me with invaluable insight into any future issues, needs and/or analysis and necessary recommendations going forward.
Name three key things the Appraisal Review Board(ARB) is responsbile for
A member of the Appraisal Review Board is charged with a myriad of responsibilities, including:
1) Becoming familiar with the Tax Code which sets out the powers and duties of the ARB,
2) Insuring due process in reviewing and hearing evidence from both the appraiser and the property owner which results in and a fair and equitable determination of value, and
3) Maintaining independence from an appraisal district's staff, including the chief appraiser.
Should "comparables" be within a certain distance to protested properties and what is a reasonable distance?Why or why not?
I feel "comparables" in any tax protest hearing should resemble the subject property as closely as possible. This would be especially true of distance to the subject property, but should also include features such as size and improvements and condition of the property, among many other features.
▾ Budget
On the County Appraisal District (CAD) budgets what standards would you use to ensure that money is spent in a cost effective and constructive manner?
In view of the fact that this is a new position instituted by the Legislature for this year, I am not prepared to respond to this particular question until I 1) am fortunate enough to be elected to this position, and 2) have had the opportunity to review and become familiar with the overall financial process and balance sheet of MCAD.
Do you think the various taxing authorities should be able to cut 5-10% from their budgets ?
I am not prepared to respond and answer this question until (IF) I am elected and begin to serve in this position.
▾ Taxes
How much of the appraisal process is mandated by the Comptroller and what areas does the Appraisal Review Board(ARB) have flexibility on?
Again, I am not prepared to answer this question until (and IF) I am actually elected and begin serving. (Please see my previous response).
Should employees of the County Appraisal Distircit(CAD) or participating taxing entites be allowed to serve on the Appraisal Review Board(ARB)? Why or why not?
No. I feel it is an obvious conflict of interest.
How should market values for homes or businesses be derived? Why?
By one of three methods: 1) Sales data, 2) Cost (determining highest and best use, replacement costs and any added improvements), and 3) Income (produced by the property).
▾ Other civil liberty
This Appraisal Review Board (ARB) position is a newly elected post by the voters, as opposed to being appointed by taxing autthorities. What's the signficance of this?
I feel that, IF elected, I should (and WILL) serve as an independent and unbiased Board Member with absolutely NO history or relation or allegiance to any party, group affiliation or taxing authority.
▾ Ethics
Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?
No.
As ARB director how will you address that property value assessments are fair across the county and no special treatment is provided to any individuals or businesses?
(Please see my position/stance set out in "Other civil liberty" above).
Should Appraisal Review Board members be required to be property owners and current on their taxes? Why or why not?
I do feel that an ARB member SHOULD be required to be a property owner and "current" on their taxes. I feel it exhibits responsibility and identity to all tax paying citizens of Montgomery County.
▾ Other
Should Appraisal Review Board members be required to be "home steaders" in their actual residence? Why or why not?
I have no opinion in answering this question. I am not familiar with and do not recall any issue or incident involving this situation.
