Beaumont lawyer sues county over property taxes

A Beaumont trial attorney has filed a claim against the county where he files most of his lawsuits, alleging the Jefferson County Appraisal District overvalued his home.

Mitchell A. Toups of Weller, Green, Toups & Terrell in Beaumont filed the suit July 20 in Jefferson County District Court.

In his suit, Toups claims the appraised value of his Beaumont property "exceeds its market value and is, therefore, excessive and unlawful."

The property in question is a Beaumont home built in 1929 and located in the city's West End, the suit states.

Toups argues the house should be listed at more than 50 years old and appraised according to the law for homes older than 50 years.

He is protesting the appraisal of his home under the Texas Constitution, arguing that the appraised value exceeds 10 percent of its value, according to the suit.

Toups is asking the court to enter judgment against the county and fix the appraised value of his home.

Steven Toups, also an attorney for Weller, Green, Toups & Terrell, represents him.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. E190-540