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TALCB approves $15,500 annual payment to TREC in amended MOU; board calls it a good‑faith, budget‑neutral gesture
Summary
The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board approved an amendment to its memorandum of understanding with the Texas Real Estate Commission to allocate $15,500 annually toward general administrative costs, citing staff shifts and a desire to preserve services amid stalled fee increases.
The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board on Thursday approved an amendment to its memorandum of understanding with the Texas Real Estate Commission that adds a $15,500 annual cost allocation to cover general administrative support TREC provides to TALCB.
Staff presented changes to Exhibit A of the MOU that reflect shifting responsibilities between the agencies — including moving some education functions under TALCB and allocating 10% of a public information officer’s time to the board — which together produced an estimated savings of about $15,500. Executive Director Chelsea Buckholz told the board, “These changes result in a cost savings of approximately $15,500.”
Board members debated whether adding an explicit payment could create a precedent that would lead to future increases. Chair Bolton said the board’s duty is to steward TALCB’s resources: “We are stewards of the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board. We are not stewards of the Texas Real Estate Commission,” he said, while acknowledging the proposal creates a budgetary wash.
Supporters described the allocation as a good‑faith gesture that preserves services TALCB currently receives from TREC without increasing the agency’s bottom line. Opponents asked for assurances the payment would not automatically grow year to year; staff said any change would require an amendment to the MOU. The board voted on a motion that included specifying the $15,500 allocation and confirming updated staff percentage allocations; the motion passed by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize the MOU text with the $15,500 annual allocation and coordinate the corresponding adjustments in TALCB’s budget accounts.
