Board of Assessors vacancy: commissioners interview two applicants, defer appointment to executive session

Hart County commissioners interviewed two candidates for a vacant seat on the Board of Assessors and voted to move discussion of the appointment into executive session for personnel matters.

The board heard from Gail Smith, who described 30-plus years working in tax‑assessor offices including 28 years with Athens‑Clarke County and five years in Sumter County. Smith said she retired in 2021, moved to Hart County in 2015 and would attend required training if appointed. Commissioners asked about past county tax issues and Smith said she was aware of the county’s prior challenges and credited current staff for improvements.

The board also interviewed Matt Denton, a CPA with four decades of private‑sector finance and tax experience and current involvement in local civic groups, including the Hart County Property Owners Association. Denton said most of his experience relates to tax compliance and corporate tax matters rather than appraisal work; he said he would resign certain civic roles if an appointment created a conflict.

After the interviews Commissioner Dorsey moved that the board discuss the appointment in executive session for personnel reasons; Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. The board voted 5‑0 to go into executive session and said it would return to make a public appointment or announcement after the closed session. No appointment was announced before the transition to executive session.

Ending: The appointment decision was deferred to executive session. Commissioners said the appointment vote will be public after the closed deliberation and any appointment will be announced at that time.