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Residents urge Stephens County to address sharp reassessments at millage hearing
Summary
Multiple residents, including local business owner Mark Elam and senior resident Jerry Smith, told commissioners that recent reassessments produced steep valuation jumps and financial strain; both asked for clarity on how reassessments and homestead protections affect tax bills.
Several residents used the public hearing to press commissioners about large assessment increases and the effect on homeowners and small-business operators.
Mark Elam (S3), who identified himself as owner of Mattress Toccoa and a Chamber member, said a reassessment increased his home's fair-market value by roughly 31% and that the higher assessed value led his mortgage servicer to require more escrow. "I oppose the property tax increase," Elam said, and described uncertainty about how reassessments and different taxing entities (county, city, school) interact on a single tax bill.
Jerry Smith (S6), who said he is 80 years old and lives on Social Security and limited retirement income, told commissioners the latest assessment came in at $474,145 and called it "ridiculous," saying he fears he may no longer be able to afford to stay in his home. Staff confirmed that homesteaded properties will use the 2024 assessment as the base year under the state law discussed at the hearing.
