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On August 29th, the Blanco County Central Appraisal District passed a new resolution relating to the already purchased property on Spur 356 and the new facility currently under construction. The prior resolution drafted by the BCCAD failed to win approval because concerned Blanco county citizens pointed out that the BCCAD did not follow proper procedure regarding both the language of the prior resolution nor the way in which it was presented to the boards responsible for approving BCCAD real property purchases and construction. In an effort to correct this oversight, the BCCAD has drafted a new resolution which not only asks for permission to purchase the land on the Spur and to construct an office building, but asks for ratification of the expenditures for the purchase of the property and already completed construction. The costs for the project have been updated to reflect what the BCCAD has spent for land purchase and construction costs. Plus, it includes what the district will need to borrow to complete the project. In the failed resolution, costs were not to exceed $275,000.00. The new resolution places costs at $283,822.00 plus $10,000.00 for contingencies and the ability to borrow $257,908.00.

Milton Hawkins, the local citizen who spearheaded the protest against the BCCAD resolution, was concerned about the process that the Board has followed. Hawkins said he had no issues against the individual members of the BCCAD board or complaints about the performance of appraisal district personnel, but was concerned “that this entire matter has been badly handled and that we have the opportunity now to make a fresh start and accomplish something that will benefit everyone.” Hawkins believed that the BCCAD board did not receive appropriate approval from the six governing bodies before purchasing the property.

In 2007, the BCCAD board began preparations for the move. A resolution simply calling for the purchase or lease of real property that would enable the district to construct improvements necessary to operate the BCCAD office was approved on July 30, 2007. On August 27, 2007, this resolution was presented to the JCISD, who approved it. Not until February 8th, 2008 did any other action occur regarding this matter.

On February 8th, 2008, the BCCAD approved another resolution determining that the most cost effective way to relocate appraisal district offices was to purchase property and construct a building specifically for use by the appraisal district. The resolution noted that the appraisal district had to present this proposal for approval to the voting taxing entities and receive approval of ¾ of those taxing entities before proceeding. The cost of the property and construction of offices was not to exceed $275,000.00. A letter submitted by Hollis Boatright, Chief Appraiser, accompanied the resolution.

The letter and resolution were submitted after the posting of the JCISD school board agenda for the February 11, 2008 meeting; therefore, the JCISD school board took no action on this resolution. However, on February 19th, 2008, the City of Johnson City passed the resolution as did the Blanco County Commissioner’s Court on February 26th, 2008; the Blanco ISD on March 10th, 2008 and the City of Blanco on March 11th, 2008. Only five of the six governing bodies who are required to approve any purchase of property or any construction were presented the resolution and only four of those five presented the second resolution passed it.

At the March 14, 2008 meeting of the BCCAD, a motion to proceed with the search for property was approved. At the June 10th, 2008 meeting, BCCAD board members approved the purchase of .75 acres of land on Spur 356. At the December 9th, 2008 BCCAD meeting, a motion was made and carried to approve and sign the contract to purchase the land. Not at any time did the agendas of any of the governing bodies contain a resolution specifically pertaining to the purchase of property on the Spur.

During subsequent BCCAD board meetings dating from February 14, 2009 to July 14, 2009, motions to approve contractors for septic installation, design and planning of the new building, site work and construction were approved and Blanco National Bank was chosen to finance the project.

On August 4, 2009, the City of Johnson City was presented the resolution containing property specific language after the fact, as was the JCISD and BISD, City of Blanco, and Blanco County Commissioner’s Court. The City of Johnson City approved the resolution as did the City of Blanco and Blanco ISD. However, August 10th, JCISD did not approve the resolution and neither the Commissioner’s Court during their regular August meeting. At the JCISD special meeting on August 24th, the resolution was reread and again the board voted to take no action. Furthermore, the Commisioner’s Court, at the August 25th meeting, denied approval of the resolution. The BPGCD had not been presented either of the resolutions until their August 20th, 2009 meeting because the BCCAD was not aware that the Conservation District had a vote as a governing body of the BCCAD. At that meeting, the BPGCD voted to take no action on the issue, effectively ending the BCCAD’s quest to gain approval for the resolution.

The new resolution has already been approved at the September 8th meeting of the Commissioner’s Court. The other five taxing entities will be presented the new resolution at their September meetings as well.