By David Ball
david.ball@panews.com
BEAUMONT — The Jefferson County Appraisal District is asking for some taxpayers’ help following the destruction from Tropical Storm Harvey.
Angela Bellard, chief appraiser, said anyone with damage to their property as of Jan. 1, 2018 can go to the JCAD website and get a new evaluation based on their damages. Taxpayers can presently go to the website to register or register by telephone by calling 409-840-9944 if a property was flooded.
Appraisers are currently in the field, wrapping up Port Neches and Nederland and they’re still looking at Port Arthur.
Bellard will send out a letter later this year because so many have been displaced or they haven’t heard from their insurance company, with instructions on how to proceed. “In order for us to help you deal with the damage to your property, it will be important for you to document any remaining, unrepaired or un-replaced damage to it as of Jan. 1, 2018,” the JCAD website read. “The amount of rising water your property experienced, pictures of the property as close as possible to Jan. 1, 2018, dates when your business was closed or your home unoccupied, estimates to repair or replace supplied to you by contractors, and any invoices for repairs made will be especially helpful.
She asks taxpayers to bring the information with them because appraisers will not have access to the interior of homes and property damages may not be seen from the street or from the air.
“Please bring any documentation of damages to our office between Jan. 1, 2018, and Feb. 28, 2018, in order for the market value of your property to reflect those damages on your 2018 Notice of Appraised Value.”
Bellard said the process is similar to the county’s process in the aftermath of hurricanes Rita and Ike.
“There still will be a lot of damage on Jan. 1,” she said. “Taxpayers can wait and take pictures and get back with the appraisal district.
“It’s (appraisals) is a lot more than just houses; it’s industry and commercial if a reappraisal is done.”
So far, there have been no requests from governmental entities for reappraisals for 2017. Most have already set their budgets and reappraisals are looking at a four-month period.