Board approves hearing officer recommendations after limited 2026 tax appeals

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners opened as the County Board of Equalization on Aug. 3 and voted to approve the hearing officer's recommendations for the 2026 tax appeals. Kaylee Mannering, board of equalization clerk, summarized the year: “We received 5 abatement petitions. 2 of those withdrew before the hearings, and then the remaining 3 abatements proceeded to a hearing and all 3 were denied in total.” The clerk also said the board received five appeals, of which two were stipulated (one before and one after hearings), one was an administrative denial, and the remaining two proceeded to hearings and were denied.

Commissioners complimented the assessor's office and the process used to resolve appeals. A committee member praised use of a referee or judge to provide a second professional review, saying it streamlined the process and offered an additional appraisal check. With no substantive objections, a committee member moved to approve the hearing officer's recommendations “as presented in our packet,” and the board voted verbally; the Chair announced the motion carried. The Board then closed the Board of Equalization session and adjourned the special meeting.