(a) Award of recognition level. The department may award a recognition level based on the following for the time frame of September 1st through August 31st immediately preceding the application deadline:
  (1) information and documents contained in the application;
  (2) any additional information, documentation, or clarification requested by the department; and
  (3) information and documentation from department records.
(b) Denial of recognition level. The department may deny an award of recognition if:
  (1) the application contains any incomplete or inaccurate information;
  (2) the applicant fails to provide requested documents;
  (3) the application contains incomplete documents;
  (4) the application was not received by the department or postmarked by the department's deadline;
  (5) the county tax assessor-collector who applied for recognition no longer holds the office of county tax assessor-collector;
  (6) the county tax assessor-collector did not sign the application; or
  (7) the department discovers information which shows the applicant does not comply with the criteria to receive a recognition level.
(c) Revocation of recognition level or demotion of recognition level.
  (1) The department may revoke a recognition level if the department discovers information which shows the county tax assessor-collector no longer complies with the criteria for any recognition level.
  (2) The department may demote a recognition level if the department discovers information which shows the county tax assessor-collector no longer complies with the criteria for the current recognition level, but still complies with the criteria for a recognition level. The recognition level will be demoted to the highest recognition level for which the county tax assessor-collector qualifies.
(d) Notice of department decision to award, deny, revoke, or demote a recognition level. The department shall notify the county tax assessor-collector of the department's decision via email, facsimile transmission, or regular mail.
(e) Deadline for department decision to award or to deny a recognition level. No later than 90 calendar days after receiving the application for recognition, the department shall send a written notice to the applicant stating:
  (1) the department's decision to award or to deny a recognition level; or
  (2) there will be a delay in the department's decision.

Source Note: The provisions of this §217.205 adopted to be effective August 8, 2016, 41 TexReg 5798