A Jones County hearing panel announced a $9,100 reduction to the assessed value of a home at 339 Walnut Grove Road after hearing testimony from the homeowner and county appraisal staff.

The panel opened the hearing by explaining its role. "We're appointed by the grand jury to hear appeals of property tax matters that include value, uniformity of value, taxability, denial of homestead exemption, and denial of special assessments," a panel member said. The panel gave the property owner the option to present first and said deliberations would be among board members only.

Homeowner Jennifer Grogan told the panel that since 2022 her home's appraised value had risen "$96,159, almost a $100,000" even though she said the family had not made improvements such as a fence, a shed or an extended covered patio. Grogan said neighboring sales and appraisals showed lower values and asked that her home's value be reduced to "$320,000." She told the panel the most recent sale on her street was $320,000 and that other nearby homes with upgrades were appraised below her current value.

County appraisal staff described the comparable-sales method used to set the assessment and showed line-item adjustments for differences in square footage, year built, garage size and porches. The assessor's presentation included per-square-foot calculations and adjustments: for example, staff used a per-square-foot figure of about $137 and stated that a 300-square-foot difference at that rate equates to roughly $41,900.

Appraisal staff said the assessor's final opinion of value for the property was $349,495 after adjustments and argued that the value was "fair and uniform." Staff walked the panel through several comparables in the Walnut Grove subdivision and explained grading (construction quality and finish) and how physical depreciation or functional defects (crooked walls, roof or foundation problems) would be handled as separate deductions.

Panel members and staff also explained procedural matters. The panel reminded residents that a written, signed decision would be delivered by hand or by certified mail and that "if either party is not satisfied with this decision, that party has the right to appeal this decision to the superior court of the county." Panel discussion noted the county's 45-day appeal timeline from the date assessments are mailed (this year referenced as July 12) and reiterated that taxpayers may seek reevaluation or further appeal.

After questioning and deliberation, the panel announced an adjustment to the assessment. The panel stated, "We lowered it $9,100," which the assessor's figures showed would yield an adjusted assessed value of $340,003.95. The panel recorded that change on the record; the transcript does not show a roll-call vote or identify a mover or seconder for that action.

The panel closed by confirming that the final signed decision would be filed with the county board of tax assessors and delivered to the taxpayer by hand or certified mail.