The Harris County Appraisal Review Board is accepting applications from residents interested in service on the board beginning in January 2011.

The review board hears property owner protests about appraised value, exemption denials and other appraisal district related matters.

ARB members sit in panels of three to conduct protest hearings, most of which are during the summer and fall months.

Members of the review board are appointed by the administrative district judge of the state civil district courts in Harris County and serve two-year terms.  Service on the review board does not constitute a full-time job; however, while conducting hearings, members are paid from $162 to $198 per day, depending on their length of service, for each full day of actual duty.

Review board service is generally a full-time commitment during the summer and fall months and requires members to be available to serve all day every weekday, as well as many Saturdays from May through September.

Weekday hearings are also held at other times of the year.  ARB members are not always scheduled every day, but must be available to serve if needed.

Jim Robinson, the Harris County Appraisal District’s chief appraiser, noted that the most important qualification for any ARB member is an attitude of fairness and willingness to devote sufficient time to the responsibilities.

In addition, Texas law contains specific provisions on eligibility. Candidates for the ARB must be current residents of Harris County and must have resided in the county for at least two years.

Persons who fall into any of the following categories are ineligible:

-      Persons who own an interest in property on which delinquent taxes are due, regardless of where in Texas that property may be located, unless the tax is deferred or being paid under an installment agreement.

-      Individuals who are currently employed by the State Comptroller of Public Accounts, or who are a member of the governing body, an officer, or a full or part-time employee of a county, city, school district, community college district, MUD, or any other entity supported by local property taxes.  Former governing body members, or officers of a taxing unit served by HCAD, are ineligible for four full years from the date they ceased to serve in that capacity.

-      Anyone who personally, or whose spouse personally, has a contract with a local government or an appraisal district.  The same restriction applies if the person, or his or her spouse, owns a 10 percent or greater interest in a business that contracts with a local government or appraisal district.

-      Persons who at any time have appeared before the ARB for compensation as a tax consultant, accountant, appraiser, or representative of a property owner.

-      Anyone who has served on the appraisal review board for all or part of three previous two-year terms, and any individual who has ever been employed by HCAD or has ever served as a member of the district’s board of directors.

Applicants are not considered if they are presently under indictment or have previously been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Application forms are available by contacting Charlene Fields at 713-957-5291.

Applicants selected as finalists will be scheduled for interviews.

The application deadline is Oct. 15.

West U police are investigating a sexual assault of a child case involving a family member.

The victim, a 17-year-old Houston resident, was allegedly sexually assaulted by her grandfather, a 59-year-old West U resident.

The assault reportedly occurred when the victim was 6 years old until she was 9 years old, police said.

West U police plan on filing formal charges once the investigation is complete.

No other information is being released at this time.

InstantNewsWestU will update this story as more information becomes available.

Registration is going on now for Fathers & Flashlights, a camp out for children and their dads.

Fathers & Flashlights is sponsored by and benefiting the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc. and is for families and residents that are zoned to West University Elementary School.

The fourth annual urban camp out will be held Saturday, Oct. 23 – Oct. 24 at the West U Little League and Tri-Sports fields, adjacent to West U Elementary.

This overnight camp out gives children the opportunity to bond with dad without traveling far from home. The suggested minimum age is four years, and multiple children from one family may participate.

Activities include arts and crafts, outdoor games, rock wall, moonwalk, music and a buffet dinner.  The event concludes with an early breakfast the following morning.

Check-in runs from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 23 along University Street, at which time tents may be set-up in designated 14′x14′ plots. Activities are scheduled to begin after 3 p.m.

The cost is $45 for fathers and $40 per child, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of West U Place Parks Fund, Inc. Cash and checks made payable to the City of West University Place will be accepted.

Event registration for residents and families zoned to West University Elementary School is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration and waiver/consent forms are available at designated registration sites and online at www.westuparks.org. To participate, complete the registration and volunteer forms, fill-out and sign the waiver/consent form and return to the Recreation Center, 4210 Bellaire, during these business hours:

Monday – Friday: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday:  8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

New this year is the Fathers & Flashlights Century club, an additional $100 donation to support West U Parks.

Those who donate an additional $100 to the registration fee will become a member of the century club. Members will be given a “Fathers & Flashlights Century Club” sign to attach to the Fathers & Flashlights yard sign.

Members can bring their yard signs to the campout to display outside of their tent.

Fathers & Flashlights is made possible through the help of volunteer moms. A two-hour volunteer commitment is required for participating families, either prior to or at the event. A volunteer form is included in the registration packet and must be completed and turned-in before camper registration will be confirmed. Registered families will be contacted with scheduling details.

For more information, visit www.westuparks.org, call 713-662-7430 or email fathersandflashlights@westuparks.org.

Underwriting opportunities are also available, beginning at $250.