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TALCB sees flat revenue, 3% merit and small internal audit budget in 2026 draft; committee seeks options for surplus
Summary
Board reviewed a first draft of the agency’s three‑year budget showing flat revenue, a 3% staff merit increase, a $5,000 allocation for an internal audit contract, and a projected decline in unreserved funds over the forecast period. Budget committee asked staff for more analysis of surplus reduction and shared expense allocations.
The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board reviewed the first draft of its fiscal 2026 budget May 16 and asked staff for additional analysis before final adoption at the August meeting.
Budget staff presented a three‑year view in which only fiscal 2026 is intended for adoption; 2027 and 2028 are forecasts. The draft includes a 3% merit pool for staff salary increases, no new full‑time positions, and a $5,000 allocation for an expanded internal audit contract. Staff projected relatively flat revenues in the near term, with a slight decline in license fees tied to fewer trainee and initial certification applications; AMC fee receipts vary with renewal cycles. Projected expenses for 2026 are roughly $2.5 million, and staff presented an unreserved balance that starts FY26 at about $2.7 million, drops to $2.6 million in 2027 and to about $2.2 million in 2028.
Director Williams and Dr. Stephanie Robinson, budget committee chair, briefed the board on committee recommendations. The committee requested more detailed analysis on shared expenses with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), the budget surplus, and historical surpluses so the board can make informed decisions about reducing reserves while preserving financial health. Committee members also asked staff to provide materials to familiarize incoming board members on where the budget cycle is in August and how decisions are typically made.
Board members questioned the sustainability of the surplus reductions given market uncertainty, including lower trainee counts and declining AMC numbers. Members noted the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) grant program is on pause and more conservative in approving awards, and that the agency’s license management system transition will require a temporary “dark” period during Go‑Live. Staff said another round of analysis and policy drafts will be provided to the committee and full board before August.
Ending: The board did not adopt the budget at the meeting; staff will return with additional analyses and recommended policy language to the budget committee and then the full board for an August vote.
