WESLACO – Hidalgo County will start sending out appraisal notices so property owners can learn how much their land is worth.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS reported property owners questioned why their property values were on the rise last year.

Hidalgo County Assistant Chief Appraiser Jorge Gonzalez people across Hidalgo County will start getting their appraisal notice this weekend.

“The heavy, heavy season will be coming up here for the next two or three months,” he said.

Gonzalez said the notice usually gives a property owner an estimate on their next property tax bill among other information.

“The appraisal notice will have your name, you address, the property that you own, the estimated value that we’re recommending for your property for this January 1st and a comparison to last year’s value,” he said.

Gonzalez said his team uses the same factor to appraise property every year. However, he said there are things people do that can change their property values.

He said modifications to a property, like adding a pool, could result in higher values.

“Don’t panic. You might get sticker shock by looking at it, but the first thing you need to do is look at it and make sure it’s you. Make sure we sent it to the right person. Make sure the value is in the line,” he said.

Gonzalez said a property owner can file a protest with the office if they’re not pleased.

“A case is opened under your name. You’re assigned an actual appraiser and a date. However, what we try and do all the time is contact you informally and try and see if we can sort out the value before we even have the formal case heard,” he explained.

The appraisal notices will start being delivered across the county on Friday.

The county’s appraisal district and tax collector’s office will also host a town hall meeting next Wednesday at the PSJA Early College High School lecture hall in San Juan to answer any questions property owners might have.

The event will start at 5:30 p.m.