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Columbus holds second Taxpayer Bill of Rights hearing as FY26 operating budget proposed at $394.6 million
Summary
Council held the second of three required Taxpayer Bill of Rights hearings on the proposed FY26 operating budget of $394,618,281. Finance staff and the tax assessor explained reassessment, homestead exemptions and the appeals process; council set a final budget vote for next week.
Columbus City Council held the second of three Taxpayer Bill of Rights hearings on June 3 as the city presented a proposed FY26 consolidated operating budget of $394,618,281.
The hearing, required by state law when a tax digest is expected to yield more total revenue than the prior year, featured an overview from Finance Director Alexander and an explanation from the county tax assessor about reassessments, homestead exemptions and how taxpayers may appeal valuation notices.
Finance Director Alexander said the consolidated operating budget total is $394,618,281 and noted the city's reserve stood at about 86.79 days. The city reminded the public that this meeting was informational; the council will vote on the budget at the regular meeting next Tuesday at 9 a.m.
The tax assessor explained that reassessments drive changes in individual bills even when the city's millage rate remains unchanged. She described the distinction between fair-market value (used in sales-ratio studies) and the local frozen value that applies to qualified homestead exemptions, and she outlined the appeal process and deadlines. Notices of assessment were mailed May 19; the appeals period closes at 5:00 p.m. on July 3. Taxpayers can file appeals online via Qpublic (qpublic.net/ga/muskogee) or deliver a mailed appeal that must be postmarked by July 3.
Speakers in the public comment period raised questions about the clarity and timing of outreach. Marvin Broadwater Sr. urged the council to hold more public forums and said some residents cannot attend 9 a.m. meetings. He asked the council to consider at least one Saturday session next year so working residents can participate. Another speaker urged the city to provide clearer notice of how a reassessment affects final tax bills and requested additional outreach for renters who may face higher costs as landlords pass on tax-related expenses.
Council members and staff emphasized several clarifications: the city's portion of the millage remained unchanged; reassessments may lead to higher bills only for properties without a frozen homestead or for homesteaded properties that have had qualifying improvements (for example, additions that change a property's footprint). The tax assessor described how sales-ratio studies and neighborhood-level sales drive targeted reassessments.
The city also reminded residents that certain homestead types (standard homestead, age/income-restricted exemptions and veteran exemptions) carry different rules and exemption amounts; veterans with qualifying VA letters may be eligible for a substantial assessed-value exemption. The assessor noted a new legislative window allowing some late homestead filings to be accepted during the appeal period for properties purchased in the prior January.
Why this matters: reassessment and appeals can cause confusion for homeowners and renters who say they face rising living costs. Councilors encouraged residents who see an unexpected increase to contact the assessor's office, use the online appeal tool or, if needed, file a formal appeal by the July 3 deadline.
The council did not take a final budget vote at the hearing; a vote is scheduled for the next council meeting at 9 a.m. next week.
