Understanding Informal Conference Procedures

Bastrop Central Appraisal District strives to keep the public informed of the latest information about the Informal Hearing procedures.

Your property value is important to us. We would like the opportunity to informally discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your notice of appraised value.

About the Appraisal – The appraisal district is required to appraise property at market value as of January 1st each year. The appraisal district has applied generally accepted mass appraisal methods and techniques based upon the individual characteristics that affect the market value of your property.  While we can consider the effect general economic and environmental factors may have on your property value, we cannot take into account your personal economic situation.

Be prepared to provide pertinent information to support your opinion of the value.  You should gather all information about your property that may be relevant in considering true value. See below for documents that may help your informal conference.

If your hearing will be conducted by phone, this information may be emailed to protest@bastropcad.org  dropped off at our office, or placed in one of the drop boxes located @ 212 Jackson St., Bastrop, TX prior to your meeting date.  There is a drop box located at the front of our building for small envelopes and a larger drop box located at the south side of our building for larger packages.  Please address to the attention of your assigned appraiser and include the date of your meeting to help expedite routing to the correct location.

If you plan to have someone represent you, you must file an Appointment of Agent form with the appraisal district prior to your meeting.  This form is available on our website under Forms & Guidelines/Protest Forms.

Informal Procedures:

You will be notified of your informal conference appointment date by mail.  The middle of the appointment letter states the date, time and the appraiser assigned to your informal conference. 

An informal conference is considered any discussion on value and property characteristics whether discussed in person, by phone or by email.

During the informal conference, the appraisal staff member will review the property and evidence supplied by the property owner. The appraisal staff may or may not change the value.

You may choose one of two options as the result of the informal meeting:

If you and the appraisal staff reach an agreement, you will finalize the property value by signing a settlement and waiver agreement.

If you and the appraisal staff are unable to reach an agreement, you will be scheduled for a Formal Hearing with the Appraisal Review Board that will be scheduled for a later date. You will be notified of your appointment date and time by mail.

Documents that may help your informal conference:

Real Property – Documents that may help determine property value include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Agricultural history documentation
• Fee appraisals – July 1, 2023 to current
• Income and expense statements
• Photographs of property
• Recent engineer’s reports or professional
  cost to cure estimates
• Recorded warranty deed documentation
• Sale or purchase contracts – July 1, 2023 to current
• Sales of similar properties – July 1, 2023 to current
• Settlement statements – July 1, 2023 to current
• Survey plat

Business Personal Property – Please provide evidence regarding your business such as an asset listing with cost and year acquired, IRS forms such as depreciation schedule, balance sheets with inventory information, income and expense statements. These types of evidence will be helpful in determining the market value of your property.