Why are you running for this office and what do you hope to accomplish?

I am running to make the Board more responsive to voters rather the taxing entities.  Improve transparency in how MCAD determines home and business valuations.   Gain a better understanding in how MCAD spends our tax dollars thereby helping to improve financial transparency.

Name three key things the Appraisal Review Board(ARB) is responsbile for

As a Montgomery County Appraisal District (MCAD) Board of Directors member 3 key responsbilities:

1.   MCAD Governance,  I will not just rubber stamp programs and/or initiatives within MCAD.   Programs and/or initiatives need to be well-defined with implementation target dates.    Additionally, MCAD must have measurable target dates for success.    

2.  Adoption the MCAD's annual budget.   I want to improve financial transparency by reviewing MCAD annual budgets with enough detail to determine if expenditures are justified.  

3.  The 3 new board members will be intricately involved in the interviewing and selecting the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) members.   I want to select individuals that are qualified have an above average working knowledge of how appraisals are determined in order to better service the general public.

Should "comparables" be within a certain distance to protested properties and what is a reasonable distance?Why or why not?

Yes, should be within some boundary limit however since all home subdivisions differ in scope of amenities and land plot sizes a specific distance cannot be used as a standard for all properties.    Ultimately sales data with 2 or 3 comparable type properties is likely the best method to determine property value.   Unfortunately, some protested properties will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis when sales data is not easily available.

On the County Appraisal District (CAD) budgets what standards would you use to ensure that money is spent in a cost effective and constructive manner?

What is the cost benefit vs risk of not doing anything.   Apply risk vs reward criteria along with some common sense in a good way to measure effectiveness of expenditures.

Do you think the various taxing authorities should be able to cut 5-10% from their budgets ?

Yes I believe taxing authories can cut when there is motivation to do so.  

How much of the appraisal process is mandated by the Comptroller and what areas does the Appraisal Review Board(ARB) have flexibility on?

On the Comptroller requirements need to understand basis and what do the rules state exactly.   Additionally, the MCAD needs to ensure appraisals are being conducted fairly across the county for all residents and businesses.  The MC Appraisal Board has flexibilities to control their budgets and spend money wisely.  

Should employees of the County Appraisal Distircit(CAD) or participating taxing entites be allowed to serve on the Appraisal Review Board(ARB)? Why or why not?

No CAD or participating taxing entities should be allowed on the ARB Board.    There should be a good mixture of homeowners and business representatives on the ARB Board. 

How should market values for homes or businesses be derived? Why?

If property was sold on the open market what is the sale price for any given property.   Sales data which includes condition of property is the main factor in this determination.  Market values should be close to local area sales data for comparable properties. 

This Appraisal Review Board (ARB) position is a newly elected post by the voters, as opposed to being appointed by taxing autthorities. What's the signficance of this?

Representation of the general population within Montgomery County and not appointed by a select group.   There will be a voice for common person on the MCAD.

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?

No background or embarrasing issues in my history.

As ARB director how will you address that property value assessments are fair across the county and no special treatment is provided to any individuals or businesses?

Yes,  I believe this is a main duty of the MCAD Board of Directors.   Best way to address is by having MCAD director run a report with $/sqft by street to see if any homes standout as unfair.   Businesses will be different at this time,  I don't have a good method but will work to develop if elected.

Should Appraisal Review Board members be required to be property owners and current on their taxes? Why or why not?

Yes I do believe it would be desirable to have Appraisal Review Board members property owners and current on their taxes.

Should Appraisal Review Board members be required to be "home steaders" in their actual residence? Why or why not?

Yes,  would also be desirable to have Appraisal Review Board members "home steaders" in their actual residence.