The board of directors of the Wood County Appraisal District met June 25, 2026, to adopt its 2027 budget, approve compliance-related resolutions and receive updates from Chief Appraiser Tracy Nichols.
The meeting opened with a quorum present and limited public attendance. During the public forum on the 2027 budget, Nichols said, “We presented the budget. We adopted our preliminary budget. We sent the budget to all the taxing entities. I’ve not heard from anyone on the budget, so no one at a public forum. So it’s ready for y’all to adopt now, unless you all would discuss it.” The board later voted to approve the budget without opposition.
Directors also considered a resolution granting administrative authority related to required mailings after a state review process. Nichols said, “It’s in our map review. We, we got a no on that, because we didn’t have a piece of paper y’all giving me authority to mail everything I supposed to mail to the tax community.” He added, “Since 2010… nobody’s ever brought this to light till this year, so it’s been brought to light. So now we have to have a resolution with y’all granting me the authority to mail mailings on behalf of the board for the tax community.” The resolution was approved.
The board also approved additional documentation required for records compliance. Nichols said the district’s records management form “has to be signed by the board of directors, and our form wasn’t signed by the board of directors,” adding that the action was needed to satisfy a state review requirement.
Directors approved financial reports covering routine expenses. Nichols summarized them as, “Water bill, gas bill, electric bill, appraisal notices, printed and mailed, and that’s pretty much it. It’s housekeeping, all this is every day, every day bills.”
In his chief appraiser report, Nichols said appraisal review board hearings were nearing completion. “ARB hearings going on today, and four more days, and we’ll be done. So it’s been a lighter year than normal, and we’re thankful for that. So, a lighter year than very thankful for that. Everything’s gone without a hiccup, so we’re thankful for that.”
He also said the district did not use security staffing this year, stating, “We didn’t do that this year,” and that conditions had remained calm throughout the process.
Nichols also raised concerns about rural water system capacity and land development pressures. He encouraged prospective land buyers to check with their rural water provider before purchasing property to ensure a water meter is available, recalling a neighbor who built a home on land he owned only to discover he could not get water service. “He said, ‘I never thought to ask that,’” Nichols said. “There’s no capacity to accommodate any more meters.”
He also noted the broader implications of water scarcity, saying, “Water is going to be traded like oil one of these days on stock market. I’m just telling you how it’s coming soon.
”The board approved all remaining items, including minutes and future agenda planning, before adjourning. Nichols said the district would likely reconvene next quarter depending on pending certification and appeals activity.