Commissioners approve multiple rezones, appoint Phyllis Poole and hear resident complaint about tax appeals

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved multiple rezone requests, confirmed a county appointment and heard a lengthy public complaint about property-tax appeals.

On motions and voice votes the board approved RZ191144 (approximately 7.5 acres of a 19.26-acre tract near Eagle Perch Road to be rezoned from agricultural to residential for buildable lots), RZ191152 (3.64 acres from agricultural to residential), RC191161 (1.04 acre from rural residential to highway business for a Christian daycare) and RZ191162 (a 3.0-acre and an 8.56-acre tract rezoned to highway business for a planned campground and coffee shop). Planning staff had recommended approval and the planning commission forwarded those recommendations to the board.

The board also approved a resolution appointing Phyllis Poole to serve on a county board recorded in the transcript as the "Pickens County defects board"; the term begins immediately and runs through 06/30/2031. Commissioners commended outgoing Martha Poole for 35 years of service.

During the public-comment period, James Timothy Brooks of the Tate community said his 2025 assessment rose after nearby sales, his appeals to the assessor's office and the board of equalization were rejected, and a grand jury declined to take up his complaint. He told commissioners he believes there is currently "no legal, legitimate way to appeal property taxes in Pickens County" and said he had run out of administrative options; no formal response was recorded in the meeting minutes.

All rezone motions carried by voice vote with no opposition recorded; appointment also carried by motion and second.