Issues to Consider When Choosing the Best Person for Harris County Tax Collector

2. Diane has the management experience necessary to run an effective and efficient Tax Office.  In the Energy Lending Division of First City National Bank, Diane managed a staff of 125 employees.  As a Trust Administrator, she managed the considerable assets of clients in the Trust Asset Management department of Texas Commerce Bank. After she began her career in education, Diane became Principal at Tomball Junior High School, leading a staff of 110 and a student body 1300 strong.  Under her leadership, her school was featured in Texas Monthly magazine, winning the highest rating of five stars in the “Just-4-the-Kids” public school evaluation issue.  Finally, as a Professor, Diane teaches leadership and management techniques to future education administrators.  So not only has she been a leader and administrator of a large organization, she now teaches others how to do the same. Diane has proven that she has what it takes to manage effectively, and looks forward to putting what she has learned during her career to practice at the Tax office.

Diane will work to ensure fair tax appraisals for all Harris County property owners.

1. Pressures from state government, corporate interests, tax agents, and other entities all work to influence the tax appraisal process.  As Tax Assessor, and therefore on the Board of Directors of the Appraisal District, Diane is committed to being a clear, strong voice for the property tax owner and their interests. 

2. Diane will work with the appraisal office to make the tax protest process more convenient for all residents of Harris County.  Having only one location to protest your appraisal in the third largest county in the United States is unacceptable and Diane will work to provide better access to the process for all Harris County citizens.

Diane will increase outreach to the community about all of the services the Tax Office provides.

1. First and foremost, Diane will work to inform all Harris County servicemen and women about the property tax benefits available to them.  Many of these individuals serving outside of Texas are eligible for property tax deferral benefits which go a long way to help struggling military families.  Many in the military do not know of these benefits, and as of late May, only 20 active military have taken advantage of this benefit.

2. Diane also believes that we need to do more outreach to register our young people to vote.  We need to look for strategic partnerships with schools and other institutions to ensure that our young people are given every opportunity to participate in the political process.

Diane will bring back ethical leadership to Harris County government.

1. Diane teaches her graduate students about being ethical leaders who are accountable, accessible, and authentic, and she intends to do the same with the tax office.

2. Diane will be accountable by running the Harris County Tax Office as a service organization instead of a political organization. She intends to do the job she’s elected to do and not get involved with partisan politics that have nothing to do with serving the citizens of this county.

3. Diane will be an accessible leader by providing greater access to the services and resources provided by the Harris County Tax office.

4. Diane will be an authentic leader by being a servant leader first, emphasizing service to the taxpayers over partisanship. She will model appropriate office holder behavior and call of a code of ethics for county elected officials.

5. Diane will always treat her staff and employees professionally and with respect.

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