Andrew Cook
Real Estate Consultant
Current Collin Central Appraisal District - Board of Director Since 2024

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Place 2 on the Collin Central Appraisal District board

Andrew Cook works as a real estate consultant.

Meet the candidates for Collin Central Appraisal District Place 2

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

Other issues: What other important issues are facing the appraisal district, and how would you address them?
The district must maintain accurate and consistent appraisals amid rapid county growth and changing tax laws while controlling costs and earning public trust. Rising protests and litigation increase the need to evaluate appraisal quality, explain valuations clearly, and ensure fair and professional treatment. I would focus the board on measurable results, including the Comptroller’s Property Value Study and related ratio analysis, protest and litigation trends, efficiency, and taxpayer service.

VOTE411 Voter Guide: Collin County Appraisal District Board of Directors, Place 2

Motivation: Why do you want to serve on the Appraisal District Board, and what qualities would you bring to this position?
I am running to bring a CPA and business manager’s oversight experience to the board. Property owners deserve accurate and consistent appraisals, efficient operations, clear explanations, and professional treatment. I bring experience in taxation, financial analysis, budgeting, and governance, and I would provide independent, constructive oversight while keeping the district accountable to taxpayers.

How do you plan to address these issues?
I will ask direct questions, review supporting documents before voting, establish measurable expectations, and require regular reporting on budgets, operations, contracts, and the reappraisal plan. I will support independent legal advice when needed and insist that Board decisions be made transparently within the limits of our statutory authority.

Appointments: How would you choose persons to appoint to the Appraisal Review Board, which will make decisions about property valuation challenges filed by taxpayers?
Under Collin CAD’s current process, ARB leadership and experienced members review applications, interview new applicants, evaluate returning members, and recommend appointments. The board’s responsibility is to oversee the integrity of that process and make the final appointments. I would expect transparent recruitment, objective criteria, eligibility and conflict checks, and enough information to evaluate recommendations. Members should be impartial, prepared, respectful, and committed to the law and evidence.

What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
My priorities are disciplined budgeting, accountable management, reliable public materials, measurable implementation of the reappraisal plan, and fair, transparent complaint procedures. I will also prioritize qualified Appraisal Review Board appointments and clear public communication while respecting the Board’s prohibition against directing individual values or appraisal methods.

Communication: How would you ensure that taxpayers have input into the appraisal process?
Property-tax accountability requires clarity about roles. The Texas Legislature and voters determine statewide property-tax relief; the Texas Comptroller, through PTAD, provides oversight; school boards, city councils, counties, and other local governments adopt tax rates; the appraisal district appraises property; and the ARB hears protests. As a director, I would not set tax rates or decide individual appraisals. I would ensure taxpayers are heard, the process is fair and transparent, protest rights are accessible, and taxpayers receive due process.

Plans to evaluate appraisal district performance through property-value studies, ratio analysis, protest and litigation trends, efficiency, and taxpayer service.

Plans to provide independent oversight through document review, regular reporting, transparent decisions, and independent legal advice when needed.

Supports transparent, objective appointments of impartial and qualified Appraisal Review Board members, with conflicts of interest checked.

Plans to ensure taxpayer input, accessible rights to protest, due process, and fair, transparent appraisal procedures.

Prioritizes disciplined budgeting, accountable management, reliable public materials, implementation of reappraisal plans, and fair, transparent complaint procedures.

- Plans to evaluate appraisal district performance through property-value studies, ratio analysis, protest and litigation trends, efficiency, and taxpayer service.
- Plans to provide independent oversight through document review, regular reporting, transparent decisions, and independent legal advice when needed.
- Supports transparent, objective appointments of impartial and qualified Appraisal Review Board members, with conflicts of interest checked.
- Plans to ensure taxpayer input, accessible rights to protest, due process, and fair, transparent appraisal procedures.
- Prioritizes disciplined budgeting, accountable management, reliable public materials, implementation of reappraisal plans, and fair, transparent complaint procedures.

Administration

Andrew Cook

- Plans to provide independent oversight through document review, regular reporting, transparent decisions, and independent legal advice when needed.
- Supports transparent, objective appointments of impartial and qualified Appraisal Review Board members, with conflicts of interest checked.
- Plans to ensure taxpayer input, accessible rights to protest, due process, and fair, transparent appraisal procedures.
- Prioritizes disciplined budgeting, accountable management, reliable public materials, implementation of reappraisal plans, and fair, transparent complaint procedures.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Michael G. Smith

- A board of directors member is an elected official who serves on the governing board of a special district, such as a municipal utility district (MUD).

- The board is responsible for overseeing the district’s operations, finances, and services, including utilities like water, wastewater, drainage, and infrastructure.

- Board members approve budgets, set tax rates or service fees, and make decisions about contracts and infrastructure projects within the district.

- The board ensures that the district complies with state laws and operates under the oversight of agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

- In many districts, the board consists of five members elected by residents. Directors must meet eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old, a Texas resident, and either a qualified voter or property owner within the district.

An official who oversees utilities, finances, and services in a district.