CAD on carpet: Answer budget questions

The CAD system is rigged against the public. First to change the system you have to fight the state even though your clock is getting cleaned by the local CAD. Second, a majority of taxing districts are required to say no to a bloated budget or a need to demand changes in a system that might be flawed when these same districts depend on the very same dollars that might be gotten from a corrupt system.

The bottom line is that Texas is just a corrupt state and doesn't give a darn for their citizens otherwise the system would be designed with the citizens in mind - which it ain't.

Property values are at least 20% higher than they should be and there is a dare thing any citizen of Texas can do about it, except maybe call "60 Minutes" and ask for an outside of state news story so the entire nation can know about how rigged Texas is against its own citizen.

Can't understand the reluctance of the remaining entities to not voice an opinion of this bloated budget. Also can't get an answer as to why the CAD can not get a monthly listing of changing property deeds from the County Clerk's office. When a property changes hands/names, it must be recorded and a simply report showing address, seller, buyer and PRICE could be given to the CAD to use in making true comparisons of property values.
I know of one individual representing another, gave the CAD 18 different property sales, yet the CAD only accepted the 3 highest valued transactions and refused the other 15.
Also, don't see why they (CAD) will only accept certain exemptions at certain times and not allow us to make claims to these exemptions anytime of the year, then have the CAD invoke those exemptions at the legal time of the year. If you tried to submit one, say in Feb or Mar, they will tell you to come back next Jan as they can't accept those requests in any other month. More bureaucratic BS for us to deal with.

My question to all the local television networks and all news organizations, such as the EP Times:
Why have you not done an investigative report on the CAD and the way this organization sets property values, and how this entity was allowed to run amok?
Force the CAD to justify its existence!
There is no accountability by the CAD to anyone, how is this possible when they control how much in taxes we pay?
Sounds like the PSB doesn't it?
Even though they deny raising taxes, they do it by defacto power, that it somehow usurped from the local government, when they arbitrarily raise your property values!
They never explain how they arrived at your valuation, rather it is you that has to explain to them what you believe your property is worth!
Why?????
Maybe if enough citizens show up with pitch forks in hand and demand answers from state officials, and the governor these buffoons will listen to us and our plight!
We must disassemble this ogre called the CAD, and bring some sanity and fairness back for its ailing citizens!
So write call and let your politicians know just how dissatisfied you are, and how much you are drowning from the onerous taxes and fees that are imposed upon us without any regard for our financial well being!

The problem lies within us simply because we are so gullible and apathetic when it comes to dealing with our government!
We simply don't want to be bothered.
We see it as a lost cause to try and deal with government beaurocrats, and politicians as a whole!
The fault lies within us folks, because we simply fold our arms and allow these clowns to do as they please, so we deserve what we get!
As witnessed, we are paying the price for our apathy and inaction!

All four of the previous comments make excellent points, especially concerned retired teacher's observation that the CAD doesn't even use recently-transferred property deeds to determine value -- a a figure that would obviously reflect recently sold properties' values most accurately.

Torocaca's absolutely right that an in-depth investigative report is warranted. Supposedly one took place a few years ago, but that was before the housing/credit crisis. Although El Paso was admittedly less affected than other parts of the country, our City certainly wasn't totally immune from the impact upon home values.

And Fedup's unfortunately right in that most residents are probably either apathetic or resigned in their belief that fighting back would be an exercise in futility.

Generally speaking, it's not. I read that, nationwide, between 60-80% of homeowners who protest their appraisals end up succeeding. No idea what the numbers here are, though.

Given the systemic nature of the problem, however, as well as the increasing amount of unwanted attention the CAD has been receiving lately, this is a ticking time bomb. CAD better shape up, fast.

C'mon, El Paso, its just a hamburger...

The other 28 taxing entities already have their even more bloated budgets set in stone and loads of 'expenditures' hidden in the general expense column. If they complain about the CAD budget they of course will be next to be scrutinized.... The school districts are paying outrageous salaries that include annual increases at the management level and above.......that is money that would be better spent teaching the kids to read, write and speak English. Money is tassed down the toilet in the TAKS Tutoring dept. as well. Allow the teachers to actually teach the students to reason and think and golly gee watch how fast those old test scores soar.....oh.....sorry that just wouldn't do would it? If the kids could actually reason and think you wouldn't get all that extra money for your TAKS tutoring programs.

Congratulations to all those who have written. As pointed out in one of the posts, the citizenry needs to get involved. It is difficult to change bureaucracy, but it becomes impossible w/o our involvement. With constant oversight of CAD and the taxing entities we stand a chance of effecting change. And thanks to all those entities and public servants who have questioned the CAD's budget. We will remember at the polls.

So what can we do to fight CAD?