Property Tax Assessor Woes in Georgia

The Bibb County Commission this summer asked the state to review the assessors office. Concern about the board of assessors, whose members are appointed by county commissioners, was sparked by this year's property revaluation, which generated 18,358 appeals and stalled the completion of a new tax digest.

Tax assessors have taken the position that elected county commissioners, in calling for the entire board's resignation, are playing to public sentiment without thoroughly reviewing the evidence. Though not specific with details, assessors said they have a few years' worth of meeting minutes and tape recordings that contradict claims made in the state report.

Among the charges made by state investigators is that they could not find documentation to support the 2006 values as fair, uniform and proper. Revenue Department field agents warned the board to hold off on the revaluation because it "could not be ready for timely digest submission," the report says.

For complete report go to:

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/16079036.htm