Finance committee denies two property-tax interest refund requests from local owner

The Glynn County Finance Committee denied two requests from property owner Michelle Newman to refund interest and penalties charged on 2024 property taxes for two parcels, the committee recorded.

Newman asked the county to refund $58.47 for Parcel No. 0202393 (1 Marina Drive, Unit 302A) and $65.91 for Parcel No. 0410835 (850 Mallory Street, Unit 7D). County staff summarized that Newman said someone in the tax commissioner's office changed her mailing address, which led to her not receiving a bill. Staff explained that address changes are handled through Glynn County’s GIS Department, not through the tax commissioner’s office, and that failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve a property owner of the obligation to pay by the due date.

Newman told the committee she owns multiple properties in Glynn County and elsewhere and that she has paperwork in her office showing an address change. She told commissioners she had visited county offices multiple times seeking an explanation and expressed frustration that she did not receive notices after a reassessment that increased her tax bill. Newman said she would provide paperwork if requested.

Commissioners debated whether to defer while staff and Newman locate the county employee she named; one commissioner offered to defer pending such verification but ultimately Commissioner Booker moved to deny each refund request. Both motions to deny were seconded and the committee voted aye. The meeting record shows the motions to deny passed and the committee did not order refunds for the two amounts.