3 locals now sit on the Appraisal District Board

ELLIS COUNTY – Residents in Ellis County have often said there should be residents of the county sitting on the appraisal board and not just those put onto the board without a public vote.

The 88th Texas Legislature did pass new legislation for counties with a population of 75,000 or more, which calls for three members of the appraisal district board of directors to be elected by the public at a general election. 

The first election for Board Members Place 1, Place 2, and Place 3 was held on May 4, 2024.

Those seats were filled by Paula R. Baucum, who was elected to Place 1 after a June 15th runoff election, as well as Jennifer Zarate, who was elected unopposed for Place 2 in May, and George Ricks, who was elected unopposed for Place 3 in May. 

These directors took office on July 1, 2024, and will serve a term that expires on Dec. 31, 2026, according to Senate Bill 2. 

Following the election of these initial elected directors of the appraisal district, the bill reads “directors must then be elected beginning with the general election conducted in November 2026. Directors elected at that time take office Jan. 1, 2027. 

At the first meeting of the board of directors of an appraisal district that follows the November 2026 general election of directors, the three elected directors must draw lots to determine which director will serve a term of two years and which two directors will serve a term of four years. 

Thereafter, all elected directors serve four-year terms.