Interim chief appraiser reports $887.95 million preliminary tax roll; House Bill 9 reduces taxable value about $32.3 million

Mills County's interim chief appraiser told commissioners May 11 that the county's preliminary taxable value for 2026 is $887,946,289 after a 10% buffer to account for expected protests.

The appraiser said the office used a 10% buffer because the county historically sees roughly a 9.2% protest rate; some neighboring appraisal jurisdictions have used a 20% buffer this year because of market volatility. The preliminary roll reflects changes including the state'level House Bill 9, which creates a $125,000 exemption for business personal property. The appraiser reported 259 accounts in Mills County qualifying for the new $125,000 exemption, reducing taxable value by about $32.3 million.

The appraiser also reported that about 243 accounts dropped agricultural valuation this year, accounting for roughly $155 million in value changes related to A (agricultural) applications and 150 certified denials mailed to taxpayers. He said the office mailed notices April 26 and that property owners have 30 days to file protests; ARB hearings are expected to begin in late June and certification will follow.

Commissioners asked about new home construction and homestead exemptions; the appraiser said the office recorded about 140 new homestead exemptions this year and added that subdivision activity (for example, Rolling Oaks) resulted in significant new structure pickups. The appraiser cautioned that the preliminary figures are subject to change pending protests, ARB action and final certification.

The court took no formal action on the valuation report but directed staff and the appraiser to proceed with the protest process and return certified figures later in the process.