The Tarrant Appraisal District board has decided to retain Joe Don Bobbitt as its chief appraiser despite a significant error that affected the agency’s 2024 board election. Following a month-long investigation into the voting miscalculation, the board concluded on December 1, 2025, that Bobbitt would face three corrective actions rather than dismissal.
The controversy arose when Bobbitt improperly allocated voting power among the county’s taxing entities, leading to Tarrant County College casting 505 votes, approximately 200 votes more than it was entitled to. This miscalculation diminished the voting influence of other entities, including Fort Worth and Tarrant County. The board’s decision to maintain Bobbitt’s position was made during a closed-door session that coincided with his annual performance review.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Bobbitt’s error stemmed from a standard procedure of copying and pasting tax revenue figures. He mistakenly assigned the tax revenue of the Tarrant Hospital District to the college, an oversight that drew significant scrutiny after being highlighted by Sayeda Syed, a resident and board nominee. Syed brought the issue to light during public meetings, ultimately prompting a public response from board chairman Rick Barnes.
In the aftermath of the investigation, the board identified several areas for improvement in Bobbitt’s performance. They determined that he did not adequately communicate essential information regarding the error or manage staff effectively to prevent such mistakes. Moving forward, Bobbitt is required to enhance employee oversight and prioritize communication regarding serious appraisal district matters.
Barnes emphasized that the responsibility for the election process lies solely with the chief appraiser, stating, “If 100% of responsibility is for the chief appraiser, then 100% of responsibility lies with the chief appraiser for mistakes as well.”
While some board members, including Rigney, called for Bobbitt’s immediate removal, the motion did not gain support. Instead, the board approved the annual review that included the corrective measures necessary for Bobbitt’s continued leadership.
The misallocation of voting power was initially questioned by Tarrant County College officials and the community. The issue fully emerged in mid-October when Syed discovered the error and subsequently met with Barnes to discuss its implications. According to Syed, the situation could not be reversed, but corrective actions were necessary to restore confidence in the appraisal process.
As part of the proposed corrective actions, Syed requested that the appraisal district issue a letter of apology to each taxing entity affected by the error, clarifying the correct number of votes each entity is entitled to moving forward. She also advocated for an adjustment to the official results of the 2024 election to account for the miscalculation.
The Tarrant Appraisal District’s board is tasked with selecting the chief appraiser, adopting the annual budget, and ensuring adherence to legal policies. Following the resignation of board member Alan Blaylock, who is running for a seat in the Texas House, the board will convene later in December to elect a successor from the list of nominees provided by the taxing entities.
As the Tarrant Appraisal District moves forward, addressing internal procedures and communication strategies will be critical to maintaining trust and transparency within the community.
