Ginger Laforest

The Board of Directors meeting agenda included recognizing newly elected/appointed board members and conducting officer elections for 2026. Key action items involved considering the Chief Appraiser entering into an office lease agreement for the expansion of the Dallas County Appraisal Review Board (ARB) operations and utilizing $630,000 from the Capital Improvement Program Reserve Fund for this expansion. Other action items covered 2026 Member Appointments and Reappointments, and the 2026 Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair for the ARB. Discussion items included a 2026/27 Proposed Budget Update, an update on the Roof Replacement RFP, and Chairman comments on Board of Director Communications. Staff reports included the December 2025 Financial Report and a report on Section 25.25(b) Changes. The Board may convene into executive session for confidential legal advice.

The document is the approved budget for the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) for the fiscal year 2025-2026. The budget includes funding to accurately and equitably appraise properties and reflect ownership in Dallas County. It also covers investments in technology, cybersecurity, and capital improvement projects. The budget addresses the costs associated with the Board of Director member public election in November 2026. It also covers the maintenance of the Notice of Estimated Taxes website and annual mailings to property owners. The staffing level will remain at 245 positions. The budget includes a merit increase of 3.25% for employees and a 14% increase in medical health insurance rates.

The Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) presented the 2024/2025 Budget, which was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors. The approved budget amount is $37,006,000. The budget provides funding for accurately appraising approximately 861,000 parcels of taxable property and reflecting correct ownership in Dallas County. The budget includes funding to replace the District reserves used to pay for the 2024 Board of Directors elections. Effective July 1, 2024, the selection of ARB members and the ARB Chairman and Vice-Chairman will transfer from the Local Administrative District Judge to the DCAD Board of Directors. DCAD will no longer be required to mail postcards that provide information on how to access the tax transparency website and contact information for the Dallas County Tax Office on every property in Dallas County. The 2024/2025 budget includes one (1) new position: Deputy Chief Appraiser.

The agenda includes a discussion and review of the 2025/2026 proposed budget and a review of entity visits.