Post Town Hall Meeting on Property Assessments & Survey Results

In this episode, host Donovan Adkisson discusses the recent town hall meeting regarding significant increases in property assessments in Tifton. Mayor Julie B. Smith encouraged property owners to appeal their new assessments, which were carried out by an external firm (GMAS) due to the county’s property values falling below state ratios. The last reassessment was conducted over 20 years ago, affecting all 19,350 parcels in the county.

The meeting had a high turnout, with over 200 attendees, and was streamed live. Mayor Smith clarified that the reassessment is not a tax bill and that the city plans to roll back millage rates to mitigate tax increases. Chief Tax Appraiser Hayward Becton explained the reassessment process, addressing concerns about discrepancies between assessed and market values.

Residents raised issues about the appeal process and the adequacy of the appraisal company. Many expressed frustrations over their property assessments and potential tax burdens. Donovan shared results from a recent survey of 210 respondents, revealing that 98.6% reported increases in property taxes, with a significant number experiencing increases of 50% or more.

Residents were encouraged to engage with legislators about potential property tax reforms. The meeting highlighted the need for transparency and accountability from local officials. Donovan also mentioned the technical difficulties faced during the live stream and efforts to improve audio quality for recordings.

Listeners are invited to share their thoughts through a survey or by emailing [email protected]. Donovan emphasizes the importance of civil discourse as the community navigates these challenges together.