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Editor Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor(@)pikecountytimes.com
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ZEBULON - This meeting was attended by Board Members Tim Ingram, Lyn Smith, and Gary Hammock as well as Chief Appraiser Greg Hobbs, County Commission Chairman Briar Johnson, County Commissioner James Jenkins, County Manager Brandon Rogers, County Attorney Rob Morton, Susan Boggs, and Becky Watts from Pike County Times.
I. Call to order. 4:33 p.m.
II. Approval of the agenda.
Motion to approve the agenda. Approved 3-0.
III. Invocation
IV. Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of the January 18, 2024 minutes.
Motion to approve. Approved 3-0.
VI. Public Comment (with a 5 minute time limit)
Susan Boggs. What the roles and responsibility of the board and the chairman? [Note from the Editor: Member Tim Ingram brought this information to the February 20, 2024 meeting which Boggs did not attend.]
What needs to be passed? She was advised that the Board's responsibility is to the taxpayers and property owners to get a fair assessment each year. Rules set by and Department of Revenue have to be followed.
Chairman Briar Johnson. He advised the Board that two commissioners are here to show support and not do your business. We have no authority of the Board or Greg. We’re here to help. He asked if Susan was looking for something particular. Confirmed that the BOC appoints the members. We cannot come in here and tell them what to do. We can remove members but not tell them what to do.
VIII. Chief Appraiser Report, Distribution of updated Budget/Discussion.
Outstanding appeals at this time:
117 active
103 30 days
926 resolved
188 waived
5 withdrawn
Will continue to work the appeals and send those remaining to the Board of Equalization.
The preliminary ratio study we are using 2023 is below 36%. Working through the next 2 months. Every year, they look at the previous year’s sales. Currently at $91 a square foot. The ratio went up in 2020. Going forward, we have corrected with 2023, and we’re still below 36%. The values will need to go again because they are at 35%.
IX. Old Business: None.
2. Personal Property: None.
X. New Business:
a. 2024 sale ratio study all classifications. residential, Land, agricultural, and commercial.
Ratio for commercial property is in the 20’s. There were only handful of sales to base it on. Hobbs will prepare the schedule for the Board. Nearly 80% of the county is residential. Make a motion to receive the ratios from the Chief Appraiser. Approved 3-0.
b. Approval/Denial removal of mobile home 048-007 E (Buckhanan). Staff recommends approval.
They brought a bill to show that the trailers were removed.
c. Letter regarding penalty for 2022 digest from GA department of Revenue.
Attorney Rob Morton discussed this. [Note from the Editor: The letter is dated February 5, 2024 and to be sent by certified mail to State Revenue Commissioner Frant M. O'Connell in Atlanta. This is the Request for Performance Review of the Pike County Board of Tax Assessors by the Pike County Board of Commissioners from the February 1, 2024 Special Called Meeting. (www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSrequestforreview2.2.24.html has the article entitled, "BREAKING NEWS: Commission Votes to Appeal Fine and Request a State Review of the Board of Assessors" (scroll down to the bottom of the page) along with an update from 2.23.24 at the top of the page entitled, "BREAKING NEWS UPDATED: State Review of the Board of Assessors to Be Conducted March 11-15.")]
The state reviews this in 3 year blocks. 2019. 2022. 2025. They are basing it on the fact that 2019 was not sufficiently corrected by 2022. We are going to submit a notice of appeal based on this showing the action that was taken from 2019 to 2022. They can modify the penalty amount based on our corrective action plan. The performance review has already been sent out. That will be sent first to show the steps that the county is taking with technology, staffing, etc. to show that we are working to make corrections. It is hopeful that with these two actions, the Dept of Revenue may reconsider the penalty. We are working to get the ratios corrected.
2 assessors from other counties and 1 from the Department of Revenue to investigate the Board Assessors and staff. There is a possibility that they may reduce or mitigate the fine if they see that we are working on this with their help. They have 30 days to send this group down here.
We did hire a 3rd party independent contractor to bring the numbers up. That brought us up to 36%. 2020, 2021, and 2022 had changes. The formulas have to be across the board to everyone to make this fair.
Real Property a.Approval/Denial of 2023 Appeal(s) with Fair Market Value Revision(s) 47 and 2 revisions over 30% approval(s)-Staff recommends approval(s)
Motion to approve. Discussion. Lyn Smith. Are all of these appeals within their 180 days? Hobbs. The processes were not followed. There were quorums and they weren’t voted on so that brought our office to a standstill. Morton. There is a process to be followed. The Chief Appraiser has brought the information within the 180 days. If they don’t feel that this was dealt with in a timely manner, there is a way to appeal this if needed. Approved 3-0.
b. Approval/Denial of 2023 Waiver(s) 14 with Fair Market Value Revision(s)- Staff recommends approval(s).
Motion to approve waivers. Approved 3-0.
c. Approval/Denial of 2024 homesteads 21 S1 (regular homestead), 1 L8 (over 70 non-income), and 1 S5 (disabled veteran under 65). Staff recommends approval.
Motion to approve waivers. Approved 3-0.
d. Approval/Denial of 2024 Cuva renewals 014-003 (Bottoms), 030-003K (Bottoms),009-009 (Barr). Staff recommends approval.
New applications. Hobbs confirmed that staff had visited the property. Motion to approve. Approved 3-0.
e. Approval/Denial of 2024 Cuva continuations 025-026C (Willis),054-001B (Coursey). Staff recommends approval.
Motion to approve. Approved 3-0.
2. Personal Property:
a. Approval/Denial car appeals
Blackmon-2017 Chev Silverado Silverado.
$16,505 average price from NADA. Recommend $16,505. Motion to set at $16,505.
Taylor-2007 Hummer H3.
$5,555 average price. Recommend $5,555. Approved 3-0.
2020 Ford F150 XL
The lady was given her father’s truck and asked why she is having to pay on this. The state demands a 6% payment on this. Motion to leave this value at the state’s value. Approved 3-0.
Stewart-2016 Dodge Ram.
$20,917 average price. Motion to set at $20,917. Approved 3-0.
Varnes-2016 Kia Forte.
$8,811 average price. Motion to set at $8,811. Approved 3-0.
Ison-2013 F-250.
$16,800 average price. $16,450 is the state price. Motion to leave this at the current value. Approved 3-0.
Gales-2012 Acura MDX.
$8,525 average price. Motion to go with $8,525. Approved 3-0.
Executive Session. 5:15 p.m.
Back in session p.m. 5:30 p.m.
Discussion on when to meet because we have been meeting at 4:30 p.m. Will 11:30 a.m. work for the attorney? He will make it work. Lyn. Do we need to accommodate the citizens because they are the property owners? Rob. You’re meeting twice a month to accommodate people. This is for this board to conduct business. Motion to change the meeting to 11:30 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. Approved 3-0.
Chairman Briar Johnson. We are working to get this board some more members. Everyone is here for the citizens. No personal agendas. Just here for the citizens. Urged them to be patient with each other. Bottom line is to work together even if you don’t agree all of the time. Trust but verify as needed to work together.
Commissioner James Jenkins. We need to do something to better train them. What can we do to better prepare these new board members to serve until they can go to school?
Susan Boggs. Reviewed the minutes which had a lot of abstaining based on lack of knowledge or training. That stops work in the office. Hopefully training would stop that. Abstaining stops productivity. [Note from the Editor: In the beginning, paperwork wasn't being given to board members prior to the meeting so they could review it to make an educated vote so an abstention based on lack of knowledge was an attempt to get the office to do what was needed to put information out to their members prior to meetings just like the process that is followed by the Board of Commissioners. This office has made tremendous changes to ensure that information is online for both members and the public prior to meetings, and I applaud them for their hard work on this.]
Chairman Briar Johnson. Our policy states that you shall give a reason for abstaining.
County Attorney Rob Morton. Also said that this is a no vote of sorts from Roberts Rules of Order.
It was was noted that agendas usually come through on Thursday or Friday. Discussion that asking for information is good.
County Manager Brandon Rogers. Commercial rate? Do you have any idea about what we are looking at moving up for residential from $91? Hobbs. Maybe another $10 or $15. This will be decided at a later time. It has to be uniform across the board.
County Attorney Rob Morton. All of the duties of the Board and Chief Assessor are set forward in State Law. What is expected of you is clearly defined in state code.
Board Members Report.
Tim Ingram. People are asking him questions. Why did Pike County only get part of the $500 tax credit? Why isn’t my CUVA value on the bill? It used to be, but we have a different vendor now.
Motion to adjourn. 5:49 p.m.
Click here to read: "BREAKING NEWS: Commission Votes to Appeal Fine and Request a State Review of the Board of Assessors" http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSrequestforreview2.2.24.html
Here are links to past meetings that Pike County Times has attended.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - February 20, 2024 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor2.20.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - February 6, 2024 - 4:30 p.m.
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor2.6.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - January 18, 2024 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor1.18.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - January 4, 2024 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor1.4.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - December 19, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor12.19.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - December 5, 2023 - 11:30 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor12.5.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - November 9, 2023 - 11:30 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor11.9.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - October 17, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor10.17.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - October 3, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor10.3.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - September 19, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor9.19.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - September 7, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor9.7.23.html