Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES # 13-03



The Columbus, Georgia, Board of Tax Assessors met Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at

2:00PM with Chairman Lawton Grantham, Assessors Richard Stallings, Ann

Grantham, William Braxton and Pat Hunter present. Also present was Chief

Appraiser Martin J. Land.



Assessor Ann Grantham made a motion to approve Minutes #12-03, Assessor Pat

Hunter second the motion, motion carried unanimously.



The Board approved assessment corrections for real estate.



The following VA letters of application for VA exemption were reviewed and

approved:



Foster 088 012 014 Approved

Harris 088 064 027 Approved



Assessor Ann Grantham recused herself and left the meeting before Ms. Watley

appeared before the Board.



Ms. McCullars representing the Tax Commissioner?s Office appeared before the

Board regarding homestead exemption for property located at 6366 Independence

Drive. Ms. McCullars said the homestead exemption was removed for 2001 at this

address because Ms. Watley was renting the house. She said Ms. Watley called

Mrs. Jones on February 17, 2003 and told her she would be moving back into her

house on 6366 Independence Drive at the end of the month.



Met with Ms. Watley regarding homestead exemption for property located at 6366

Independence Drive. Ms. Watley said she had a 3-year lease on the house at 6366

Independence Drive and moved back into the house at the end of February 2003.

She said she is asking the Board if they can make an exception to grant

homestead exemption for the year 2003, since there is quite a difference in the

tax amount. The Board explained to Ms. Watley that you have to own and occupy

the property on January 1 in order to receive the homestead exemption. The

Board took no action to grant the homestead exemption.



Met with Mr. Anderson regarding his personal property account # 06279391. Mr.

Anderson said he now understands that he should have made a personal property

return for 2002. He said his assets had a value of $8,140. He said that

someone from this office visited the store and left a card. He said he

contacted the State and was told no taxes were due. He said his wife and

daughter were running the





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Min13-03



store; he was not always there and that was part of the problem. He said when

he received the tax bill he talked to Bob, but it was too late to file an

appeal. He asked the Board to reduce the amount he owed or work out a payment

plan. The Board advised him that collection and payment of taxes are not in the

jurisdiction of the Board of Tax Assessors and he should talk to the Tax

Commissioner?s Office about payment of taxes. The Board took no action since no

personal property return was filed and when Mr. Anderson received the Official

Tax Notice an appeal was not filed.



Met with Residential Division Chief Bob O?Brien, reviewed and approved the

following:



2003 Map Split: 1

2002 Map Split: 1



Met with Commercial Division Chief Linda King, reviewed and approved the

following:



2003 Map Splits: 3



Met with Personal Property Division Chief Oliver Juhan, reviewed and approved

the following:



Assessment Corrections: 3 (-)

Freeport Applications: 7(Approved)



Adjourned 3:45PM.





MARTIN J. LAND

Secretary





APPROVED:____________________________________



__________ ____________ _____________ _____________

_____________

L E Grantham R L Stallings A C Grantham W B

Braxton P Hunter

Chairman Assessor Assessor

Assessor Assessor