The liaison officer may provide information and materials designed to assist property owners in understanding the appraisal process and protest procedures and reports to the board at each meeting on all written complaints filed with the board that the board has authority to resolve. Clear policies are essential to the smooth operation of an appraisal district. Some policies respond to legal requirements in the Property Tax Code, such as a policy for procedures at budget hearings. Contractual agreements are an important part of appraisal district operation. Through contracts, the district may get appraisal services, computer services, legal services, certain supplies, bank services, maps, and aerial photography.
Many contractual activities require competitive bidding.
It also requires a district to post notice of the contract in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, or at the district's office if there is no such newspaper. Some types of expenditures do not require competitive bidding. Single-source items, food, and certain items purchased at auction. The appraisal district budget establishes financial guidelines for the appraisal district office. By June 15, the chief appraiser gives the board a preliminary budget to review.