Final judgment entered in attorney's suit over property taxes

A final judgment was recently entered in a Beaumont trial lawyer's property tax suit against the Jefferson County Appraisal District.

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

The judgment was entered on Dec. 7 and states that the parties have reached a compromise.

The judgment directs JCAD chief appraiser to correct the appraisal rolls for tax year 2011 to reflect the true market value of Toups' property, which is supposed to be valued at $986,400.

Toups had claimed 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.

In his suit, Toups argued 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

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

Nederland attorney Joseph Jannise represented the county.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, presided over the case.

Case No. E190-540