Tax Assessor:

The five member Board of Tax Assessors is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners for six year terms. The Board of Assessors hires a Chief Appraiser to run the day-to-day operations of the department. The Chief Appraiser and his staff determine what property in the county is subject to taxation, prepares annual property tax assessments, prepares the annual tax digest, examines and corrects errors in all real and personal property tax returns, ensures that all property is returned for taxes at fair valuations, and the valuations between individual taxpayers are fairly equalized so that each pays as nearly as possible only his or her proportionate share of taxes. In addition, this department also hears taxpayer appeals regarding property tax valuations, maintains county tax records and maps of 31,539 real property parcels, 2,006 personal property accounts, and inspects 1,571 mobile homes to ensure that the proper decals are attached, compiles building costs, adheres to policies set by the Georgia Department of Revenue, and provides staff support to the Board of Tax Assessors.