Tarrant Appraisal District Runoff 2026: Dec. 12 Vote on How Often Homes Get Reappraised

Last updated: Nov. 7, 2026

Two of the three elected seats on the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) board go to a runoff on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, with early voting Nov. 30 through Dec. 8. The biggest issue on the ballot is how often TAD should reappraise homes: every year, every two years, or every five years.

Who is in the Tarrant Appraisal District runoff?

No candidate won a majority in Places 1 and 2 on Nov. 3, so the top two in each race advance, according to the Fort Worth Report.

• Place 1 (open seat): Rebecca Hardy (40.8%) vs. Byron Haynes (26.14%). Hardy favors less frequent, biennial residential appraisals. Haynes favors returning to annual reappraisal.
• Place 2 (open seat): Ambika Sharma (38.91%) vs. Cary Cheshire (22.36%). Sharma supports annual reappraisal. Cheshire supports reappraisal every five years, or every year if a homeowner asks.
• Place 3: John Adams won outright with 58.97% over incumbent Matt Bryant. Adams supports returning to annual reappraisal.

Why does TAD's reappraisal schedule matter?

In 2024 the TAD board moved residential property to biennial reappraisal, and in September 2026 it voted 5-4 to keep that policy. Two of the five members who voted to keep it did not seek reelection. The board can next revisit the schedule in 2028, the Fort Worth Report says.

Critics of the biennial policy say some homes stayed frozen at values that were too high. Local governments have said the schedule makes property tax revenue harder to forecast. Every candidate agreed TAD's legal job is to appraise property correctly.

How is the TAD board chosen?

The TAD board has nine directors: five appointed by local taxing units, three elected at large by Tarrant County voters, and the county tax assessor-collector. The elected seats were created by the 2023 property tax relief law, and the Texas Comptroller explains the board's role in its property tax resources.

Does the appraisal district set my tax bill?

No. TAD sets the appraised value of your property. Your city, county, school district and other taxing units set the tax rates. The Comptroller's county directory says appraisal districts handle values, exemptions and protests, while the tax assessor-collector handles bills and payments.

What does the runoff mean for my 2027 appraisal?

The board sets policy and hires the chief appraiser, so the runoff won't change a value already on your 2026 bill. What it can shape is the reappraisal schedule debate when the policy comes back up. Separately, the 2027 Legislature, which convenes Jan. 12, 2027, is expected to take up proposals on how often property is reappraised.

How do I protest my Tarrant County property value?

You can protest to the Appraisal Review Board every year, whether or not your home was reappraised. The 2027 deadline is Monday, May 17, 2027, because May 15 falls on a Saturday, or 30 days after your notice is delivered, whichever is later. Start with our Tarrant County property tax protest guide or the Fort Worth property tax protest guide. You can file on your own, or protest with TaxDrop. Here's how a Texas property tax consultant works.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Tarrant Appraisal District runoff?

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026. Early voting runs Nov. 30 through Dec. 8, according to the Fort Worth Report.

Who is in the TAD board runoff?

Place 1 is Rebecca Hardy vs. Byron Haynes. Place 2 is Ambika Sharma vs. Cary Cheshire. John Adams won Place 3 outright with 58.97% of the vote.

Who can vote in the TAD runoff?

The three elected TAD seats are at-large, so registered voters across Tarrant County can vote. Check the Tarrant County Elections site for your polling places.

Does Tarrant Appraisal District reappraise homes every year?

Not right now. The TAD board adopted biennial (every-other-year) residential reappraisal in 2024 and narrowly kept it, 5-4, in September 2026. The board can next revisit the policy in 2028, according to the Fort Worth Report.

Does the appraisal district set my tax rate?

No. TAD sets appraised values. Cities, counties, school districts and other taxing units set tax rates. Your bill is your taxable value times those rates.

Can I protest my Tarrant County appraisal even in a year my home isn't reappraised?

Yes. You can protest your appraised value to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) every year. The 2027 protest deadline is Monday, May 17, 2027 (May 15 is a Saturday), or 30 days after your notice is delivered, whichever is later.

Sources: Fort Worth Report, Nov. 4, 2026; Tarrant County Elections, TAD candidate information; Texas Comptroller, Local Property Appraisal and Tax Information; Texas Tax Code §§1.06 and 41.44.