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Council nominates Betty Jo Rooney to Brewster County Appraisal District board amid wider CAD concerns
Summary
After a prolonged discussion about the Brewster County Appraisal District’s staffing, valuation performance and state-level reviews, the Alpine City Council nominated Betty Jo Rooney to fill a vacant seat on the CAD board and approved the nomination unanimously.
The City Council on Feb. 17 discussed vacancies and recent operational issues at the Brewster County Appraisal District (CAD) and unanimously nominated Betty Jo Rooney to fill a board seat until December 2025.
City Manager (unnamed) opened the discussion after the CAD asked local taxing entities to nominate members to fill two recent vacancies. Council Member Darren Nance, the city’s CAD representative, summarized the district’s priorities: raising appraisal ratios to the level required by state property-value studies and addressing internal staffing shortages.
“We came in at, I think, 93 and a half percent…when we don't hit that number, then they are—they could say that the values are artificially deflated,” Nance said, describing the state’s property value study target and the fiscal consequences of undervalued appraisals.
Council and staff discussed the kinds of nominees the CAD needs: individuals familiar with appraisal processes or with the capacity to support governance and operational changes. Staff and council members praised Rooney’s background; no council member objected when Council moved and seconded a motion nominating her.
Nance and other speakers noted CAD staffing issues, including a reduction in appraisers and an increase in reserves reported in the CAD budget. Council members said improving CAD staffing and procedures is important to ensure property values are reported at market value. Several council members indicated interest in preparing a city resolution to identify CAD funding and staffing issues and to urge state‑level attention for rural appraisal districts.
The council’s nomination of Betty Jo Rooney was recorded as unanimously approved; council noted Brewster County Appraisal District’s board will select one of the nominees to fill the vacancy. Staff said the nominated member serves through 2025 and that future reappointment or election would follow the CAD’s timetable.
