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Commissioners send aerial ‘accessory/addition finder’ tool to committee after discussion about scope and privacy
Summary
Lincoln County commissioners discussed using an automated comparison of recent aerial imagery to help ensure property records match on-the-ground structures and referred the matter to the general government committee for further review; the board said no additional county flights or drone use is planned.
Lincoln County commissioners reviewed a proposed program — described by county staff as an “accessory and addition finder” — that compares the county’s most recent aerial imagery with imagery from three years earlier to flag new structures, additions or removed features so property records can be updated.
Public works/community development staff explained the program’s purpose is to verify that the property tax rolls reflect structures actually on the ground and to correct records where necessary. Director Seymour told the board the county already pays for triennial aerial photography; the proposed service would analyze imagery differences and produce a file for the tax office to review. “The purpose of this is to make sure that people have the right property card and it matches what's actually on each property,” Seymour said.
Staff said the tool is intended to help the tax assessor’s office and county departments keep records accurate — for example, removing a filled-in swimming pool from a tax record — and is not explicitly intended to search for unpermitted work, though staff noted the system could reveal such issues if the board chooses to act on them.
Concerns and clarification: Commissioners and staff addressed community concerns about privacy and use of drones. Staff clarified the county flies fixed-wing airplanes for the aerial photography (not drones) and that the project uses imagery the county already purchased. County legal counsel (name not specified) and staff also noted that the Board of Tax Assessors has a statutory duty to “investigate and inquire into property” under Georgia law, and that the tool would simply be an additional technology to assist that statutory duty.
Referral: The board did not vote to adopt the tool at this meeting. Chairman Norman said he favored the concept but asked that the item be sent to the general government committee (chaired by Commissioner Tankersley, with Commissioner Antonakis as the other member) for further study and to return to the full commission later in the year. The board approved moving the matter to that committee without objection.
Ending: Commissioners said they would continue to monitor relevant legislation (the transcript references House Bill 581) and bring refined recommendations back to the full commission for a future vote.
