Cal Wood, director of information systems for the Tarrant Appraisal District, has been suspended after he was caught advocating a “false narrative” regarding TAD’s tech issues, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
A whistleblower recorded Wood saying “I’m OK with creating a false narrative that distances the truth from the media … The further you create the truth from what’s being reported, the better you are. Because what do we need? Time, patience and money.”
TAD conducts property valuations and determines property tax bills based on appraised values. Tarrant County includes Fort Worth and Arlington.
Wood’s comments were in response to criticism TAD had received regarding its new website, which failed to load for many users after it launched in April. The tech issue was especially troubling because it occurred the same week that valuation notices were posted.
The recording was sent to chief appraiser Jeff Law, who notified the board and “launched a full investigation of the circumstances.”
Those who were able to access the new website were unable to use the automated market review tool, which is required to work by law. This malfunction forced Tarrant County to extend the 30-day period taxpayers are given to protest their appraisals.
After persistent complaints from Tarrant County residents, and with the tech issues still unresolved, the protest deadline was extended again from May 15 to May 30, the outlet said.
In April, Law received a letter of repair, outlining 11 items that needed to be fixed within 90 days. TAD was required to repair the agency’s reputation, along with resolving the tech issues. The appraisals were in jeopardy of being dismissed if the required repairs were not taken care of, the letter said.
Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare and mayors in three Tarrant County cities, plus the Dallas Morning News editorial board, have called for Wood to be fired.
—Quinn Donoghue
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