Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber presents a plaque to former TACA President Becky Watson of Cass County. Barber was sworn in as the new TACA President at the annual TACA conference in Abilene earlier this month. (Courtesy Photo) Smith County Tax Assessor Collector Gary Barberwas sworn in as the President of the Tax Assessor Collector’s Association (TACA) of Texas this month during the annual TACA conference in Abilene.

“I am proud to have the opportunity to serve as president during a legislative year,” Barber said.

Barber said the Tax Assessor Collector Association is an organization that provides support to its members and serves as a watchdog group for tax-related legislation in Austin.

“We have a lot of contact with the tax payers in our counties, and we try to look out for any legislation that may affect them,” he said.

Barber was elected Tax Assessor-Collector of Smith County in 2005. He has worked for the Smith County Appraisal District, East Texas companies and owned his own business. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1975, received his RPA in 1994 and RTA in 2008. He was also the recipient of the prestigious TACA President’s award in 2009.

“TACA is so important to me. Without this organization, I would not have made it through my first year as Tax Assessor-Collector. This is why I want to be active on their board and someday I might help other members, the way they helped me,” Barber said.