Kathryn Wilemon, the embattled chairwoman of the Tarrant Appraisal District’s (TAD) board of directors, has resigned following calls for her recall.
Wilemon threw in the towel in an email to TAD Secretary Rich DeOtte, according to reporting by Texas Scorecard. She had been elected to the position in 2021.
Her decision comes after Keller City Council unanimously voted for Wilemon’s recall, triggering what would have been a removal process led by the tax entities within Tarrant County.
During the meeting, Keller Mayor Armin Mizani explained, “The discussion and possible action is based on one simple question in my mind: Is TAD today more accountable and transparent than it was two years ago?” as reported by WFAA.
“Do our taxpayers in Keller have more trust or distrust of the process? … The answer to those questions, when I hear from my constituents, is flatly ‘no,’” Mayor Mizani claimed.
The vote by the Keller City Council was in response to growing complaints of mismanagement, backroom dealing, and potentially illegal activity.
Chandler Crouch, a local realtor and longtime community activist who has spotlighted the actions of the TAD, explained to The Dallas Express, “The words and actions of Mayor Mizani, Councilman McMullin, and the Keller City Council exemplify the qualities of true servant leadership that citizens expect from their government officials.”
Crouch continued, noting, “Moving forward, I hope that TAD and the TAD board will adopt these same principles and approach problems proactively, showing sincere empathy for the impact of government on its citizens.”
“This includes a deep commitment to accountability and transparency, which will help to prevent drastic measures like a recall in the future,” he added.
He cautioned, however, “I have seen TAD manipulate how vacant board seats are filled on multiple occasions,” pointing to previous instances of alleged interference.
“I hope the process to fill the vacant seat honors the interests of the commissioner’s court and taxpayers,” he concluded.
Crouch, who assists Tarrant County residents in protesting rising home appraisals, was previously targeted by the TAD director, Randy Armstrong. Armstrong filed a formal complaint against Crouch to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
This action led hundreds of Tarrant County citizens to speak in Crouch’s defense. Armstrong’s complaint was deemed frivolous, causing him to be suspended without pay for two weeks.
The Dallas Express reached out to several officials within the Tarrant County government for information and comment about Wilemon’s resignation but received no response prior to publication.
