All but one Montague County tax entity saw strong increases in their certified property values for 2014, continuing a five-year trend all driven by mineral values.

A total of 14 entities receive values through the Montague County Tax Appraisal District. Bowie, Gold-Burg, Saint Jo ISDs, also have portions of their districts that flow into neighboring counties, as does the Clear Creek Watershed. The values noted in this story only include Montague County values.

Chief Appraiser Kim Haralson said there were no big surprises as the mineral properties continue to drive the increase. The number of value parcels prepared by the district has doubled since 2009 when 39,065 parcels were prepared. In 2010 it went to 40,475 and in 2014 it is 81,360.

“Overall, I think all the entities can be pleased with where their values fell this year,” said Haralson.

Read the full story in the mid-week News.