1. (a) Award of recognition level. The department may award a recognition level based on the following for the time frame of September 1st through August 31st immediately preceding the application deadline:

   1. (1) information and documents contained in the application;
   2. (2) any additional information, documentation, or clarification requested by the department; and
   3. (3) information and documentation from department records.

2. (b) Denial of recognition level. The department may deny an award of recognition if:

   1. (1) the application contains any incomplete or inaccurate information;
   2. (2) the applicant fails to provide requested documents;
   3. (3) the application contains incomplete documents;
   4. (4) the application was not received by the department or postmarked by the department's deadline;
   5. (5) the county tax assessor-collector who applied for recognition no longer holds the office of county tax assessor-collector;
   6. (6) the county tax assessor-collector did not sign the application; or
   7. (7) the department discovers information which shows the applicant does not comply with the criteria to receive a recognition level.

3. (c) Revocation of recognition level or demotion of recognition level.

   1. (1) The department may revoke a recognition level if the department discovers information which shows the county tax assessor-collector no longer complies with the criteria for any recognition level.
   2. (2) The department may demote a recognition level if the department discovers information which shows the county tax assessor-collector no longer complies with the criteria for the current recognition level, but still complies with the criteria for a recognition level. The recognition level will be demoted to the highest recognition level for which the county tax assessor-collector qualifies.
4. (d) Notice of department decision to award, deny, revoke, or demote a recognition level. The department shall notify the county tax assessor-collector of the department's decision via email, facsimile transmission, or regular mail.

5. (e) Deadline for department decision to award or to deny a recognition level. No later than December 31st of the calendar year, the department shall send a written notice to the applicant stating:

   1. (1) the department's decision to award or to deny a recognition level; or
   2. (2) there will be a delay in the department's decision.

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.205 adopted to be effective August 8, 2016, 41 TexReg 5798; amended to be effective November 14, 2024, 49 TexReg 8980.