Residents raise flooding and tax concerns after county-wide property revaluation
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Summary
Multiple Tift County residents told commissioners Aug. 12 they are worried the county-wide property revaluation will increase taxes, and one resident showed video she said documents new flooding tied to recent construction near her home. Tax Commissioner Chad Alexander said tax bills will not be due Nov. 15; a new due date will be announced.
Several Tift County residents used the public-comment portion of the Aug. 12 Board of Commissioners meeting to press elected officials about a recent county-wide property revaluation and localized flooding.
Geraldine Jones of 1900 Youmans Street told the commissioners that construction around her home has created new flooding problems and showed the board a video she said documents the water damage. Residents in multiple neighborhoods said they fear the revaluation will raise tax bills. "Please use the millage rate to help lower the taxes," Lynzi Williams of 1114 Pehler Way said during public comment. Other speakers who raised revaluation concerns included Kimberly Johnson (2007 Oriole Way), Greg Nelson (320 Paulk Road), Theresa Ryan (2202 Ridge Ave. N), Gary Batten (1193 Jacob Hall Rd), Hayward Fowler (1018 Park Ave), Deborah Groves (1209 Central Ave. N) and Ricky Paulk (283 W. Sycamore Rd).
Christopher Burchell (2415 Madison Dr.) asked the board to consider county revenues and the per-capita cost of county services when weighing tax policy. Deborah Hoffman (1902 Youmans St.) thanked the board for work completed in District 1.
Tax Commissioner Chad Alexander said county tax bills will not be due on Nov. 15 and that an official due date will be published at a later time. County staff did not provide a schedule for when individual revaluation appeals or adjustments would be completed during the meeting.
Why it matters: A county-wide revaluation can change assessed values across neighborhoods and has the practical effect of shifting tax burdens unless officials alter the millage rate. Residents asked commissioners to either lower the millage rate or seek assistance from the Georgia Department of Revenue; Deborah Groves specifically urged the board to contact the state agency for help.
What’s next: The board did not take formal action on the revaluation during the meeting. Commissioners heard the public comments and listed no immediate votes or directives on the record. The county has said it will publish official tax deadlines and any additional guidance for residents.