Appraisal board welcomes two new directors

The Cass County appraisal board convened last Tuesday with its newest member, Scotty Bates of Atlanta.

Jack Salmon of Avinger, who served prior to the election in 2018, returns after being dismissed one year ago.

All directors were confirmed, and Byron Terry, Jr. and Salmon were appointed chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively.

Scotty Bates is a retired banking professional who began his career as an examiner with the Comptroller of the Currency in Waco. He worked for Atlanta National Bank for 15 years before taking a position as vice president of First State Bank and Trust Company in Carthage until his retirement in 2013.

Bates quickly identified and questioned discrepancies in the district’s ledger, offered insight on the hiring of an accounting firm to conduct annual audits, and scrutinized the hefty attorney fees that have accrued since October.

Invoices from the appraisal district’s attorney, Jim Evans, have remained unpaid since October.

Their validity was discussed at length, and the question was raised about the previous chairperson’s ability to make decisions regarding such expenses, unilaterally.

Chief appraiser, Anita White, explained why the invoices were placed on the agenda, “We’ve had some issues with comp time and personnel issues and our attorney, Mr. Jim Evans, was contacted by our previous chairperson and I don’t know if the whole board was familiar that the attorney was being contacted or called or whatnot but in a matter of three to four months we approved a chunk of money to go out on a bill that the whole board was not familiar with and we just felt like we needed the board to be aware of this and discuss this before it’s paid. It’s at least ten thousand.”

She went on to say, “I really wanted your input and wanted you all to be aware about the fees because I don’t think you were in the beginning. I think it’s all excessive and I want the board to know and be aware before this fee is paid because one board member called them in.”

Bates said, “Am I to understand that Ms. Susan Jackson is responsible for calling these folks, incurring this? Is that what I’m understanding? Maybe Ms. Susan Jackson needs to pay these folks this money, she wasn’t authorized by the board.”

Some expenses were approved while others will be reviewed further and discussed with Evans’ firm.

In a follow-up interview with Bates via email and when asked which issues before the board are of greatest concern, he said, “After only one meeting, it appears to me that the greatest concern is to get the office organized and up to date. Apparently there are some past issues that are preventing, or hampering, current, normal and needed work. I think that once those issues are resolved, the district can be united moving forward in accomplishing our responsibilities.”

He added, “I hope to use my knowledge and business experience to help in accomplishing the statutory responsibilities of the district, while striving to have a well organized office that is responsive to the public.”