By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Ellis County Appraiser notified the county commission Monday property tax valuation notices will be mailed late.
Appraiser Lisa Ree told commissioners she applied for a 30-day extension to mail the valuations because she has a shortage of staff in her office.
The office is down three-quarters of a position due to budget cuts.
Ree said the state has granted her a 15-day extension to March 15. However, she said she was not confident the office would be able to finish the appraisals by that date.
She said she anticipates asking the state for another extension with the hope the valuations could be mailed by April 1.
If the appraisals are not mailed on time, the county would lose points on its compliance grade. If the office does not receive a certain number of points, it will be considered out of compliance.
An office that remains out of compliance for two years or more can be taken over by the state at the county's cost, Ree said.