Chief Appraiser Melissa Gonzales will retire next week after 22 years with the Lampasas Central Appraisal District.
Gonzales grew up in Burnet and began working at the Burnet Central Appraisal District more than 30 years ago. She soon earned Registered Professional Appraiser and Registered Texas Assessor/Collector certifications.
“You never plan to work with property taxes,” she said. “But it’s been good.”
Gonzales met her husband, Daniel Gonzales, while working at the Burnet Central Appraisal District. They moved to Lampasas — Daniel’s hometown — and she began working at the Lampasas Central Appraisal District as an appraiser in 1998.
Gonzales said many property owners are often disgruntled when they visit the appraisal offce.
“You get used to people being unhappy,” she said. “It’s just part of the game.”
Nonetheless, Gonzales said one of the most rewarding aspects of her career has been working with and getting to know Lampasas taxpayers. She said many have become her friends, and she thanked them for their support.
Gonzales became the chief appraiser in 2010. As an appraiser, she spent most of her time visiting and assessing properties, but as chief appraiser she took on more administrative duties.
She oversaw collections and reported to the Texas Comptroller.
The appraisal offce is busy year round, Gonzales said, as appraising properties and collecting taxes is a yearlong process.
Gonzales said she is grateful to all board members and employees she has worked with.
“It’s a small offce, and we couldn’t do what we do without our staff’s diligence,” she said.
Gonzales said she is “really excited” to retire and looks forward to spending time with her four daughters — Crystal, Jennifer, Amanda and Carmen — and her parents. Two of her daughters live in Texas, one lives in Alabama, and one lives in Illinois. Her parents still live in Burnet.
Gonzales has four granddaughters: Delaney, Abigail, Emma and Natalie. She said she enjoys going to the beach, shopping and cooking with them.
She said she loves to be outside and plans to spend time golfing and painting outdoor scenes.
Daniel Gonzales works as an electrician.
Gonzales encouraged taxpayers to “keep the communication lines open” with the Lampasas Central Appraisal District.
“If you ever have a problem, contact the offce,” she said. “Our employees are helpful, and you are welcome to stop by.”
