Autozone says appraisal wasn't fair

A Jefferson County business is suing over claims its property was unlawfully appraised in excess of similarly situated properties.

Autozone Texas, Autozone West Inc. and Autozone Inc., as owner and lessee, filed a lawsuit Sept. 30 in Jefferson County District Court against the Jefferson County Appraisal District.

According to the complaint, Autozone owned or leased property in Beaumont and received notices from the defendant appraising the 2014 market value of said property at an amount in excess of that required by law, assessing an excessive lien and tax burden on the property.

Autozone says it protested the appraisal which is allegedly in excessive of the median of similarly situated properties' appraisals. Autozone was granted a hearing at which it gave evidence of the unlawful appraisal but the board upheld it, and Autozone is seeking to appeal it, the suit states.

Autozone seeks seeking a court order setting aside the appraisal, an order setting a new, fair appraisal, attorney fees and costs of court. It is represented by attorneys Gavin McBryde and Kathleen J. Santos of McBryde Firm in Austin.

Jefferson County District Court case number: E-196174.