Candidates endorsed by county judge win seats on Tarrant Appraisal District board

Candidates endorsed by County Judge Tim O’Hare won their races for the three seats on the Tarrant Appraisal District Board of Directors, according to unofficial results.

Eric Morris, a 24-year old Haltom City council member, won 53.97% of the vote in Place 1, Colleyville Mayor Pro Tem Callie Rigney captured 62.15% of the Place 2 vote and real estate investor Matt Bryant received 50.50% of the Place 3 vote on Saturday with all 180 vote centers reporting.

Bryant looks to be narrowly escaping a runoff. Lee Henderson captured 30.94% and Chuck Kelly had 18.56%.

In a statement Saturday night Henderson said he wished Bryant luck and hopes his decisions are not guided by politics.

The appraisal district board positions are non-partisan.

A PAC called Tarrant Taxpayer Advocates — which endorsed the three winning candidates — stated said they would cap appraisals (which is not allowed by state law) and would push to move appraisals to a three year cycle, which critics say would drain school districts and other taxing entities of funding.

This is the first time voters have had a say in who oversees the appraisal district. The Legislature this past session added three elected seats in counties with a population of more than 75,000. The other positions on the board are appointed by taxing entities.

The appraisal district sets property values for tax purposes.