Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

MINUTES # 29 -08



The Columbus, Georgia, Board of Tax Assessors met Monday, August 11, 2008 at

9:00AM with Chairman William Braxton, Assessor Lawton Grantham, Assessor

Richard Stallings, Assessor Ann Grantham and Assessor Pat Hunter present. Also

present was Chief Appraiser Betty J. Middleton.



Assessor Lawton Grantham made the motion to approve Min#28-08; Assessor Pat

Hunter seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.



The Board signed assessment corrections for real estate.



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

Board regarding parcel ID 191 028 001. Mrs. McCullars explained their

procedures for directing disabled Veterans to the Board of Tax Assessors?

office to submit VA applications for the Board?s approval.



Met with Mr. Peters and Mrs. Snead (daughter) regarding VA exemption for

Parcel ID 191 028 001. Mr. Peters stated when he made application for homestead

exemption in the Tax Commissioner?s Office, he told the clerk he was a disabled

veteran and offered his papers, but was told she did not need to see them. He

stated that she took his military ID and driver?s license and made a copy of

them. They were not attached to his homestead exemption card. Mr. Peters and

Mrs. Snead came to the Board of Tax Assessors? office after receiving his tax

bill and presented his paperwork relating to the VA application from another

State, but was advised to go to the VA office and get a letter from the Georgia

Veterans Affairs. He brought the VA letter to this office on August 8, 2008.

After much discussion Assessor Pat Hunter made the motion to grant the VA

exemption for 2008; seconded by Assessor Richard Stallings; discussion

followed; motion carried with a 3 to 2 vote; Assessors Lawton Grantham and Ann

Grantham voting no.



Met with Board of Equalization members Mr. Beaudoin and Mr. Carter regarding

their observations in recent Board of Equalization hearings that the Board of

Tax Assessors does not have sufficient staff to carry out what the GA

Department of Revenue?s procedure manual states concerning revaluations. Mr.

Beaudoin and Mr. Carter said that the staff did an excellent job presenting the

cases to the Board of Equalization. The Board of Assessors said they are aware

of the need for more staff and are trying to add appraisal staff. The Board

advised them of recent studies performed of this office and they felt if the

Board of Equalization members want to contact the Mayor presenting their

observations, it could support the Board of Tax Assessors? situation.









Page 2

Min29-08



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

following:



2008 Map Splits: 1

2007 Map Splits: 1

Value Adjustments: 9



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

the following:



Assessment Corrections: 4(-)

Appeals: 5(-)



Adjourned 11:20AM.







BETTY J. MIDDLETON

Secretary







APPROVED:____________________________________





___________ _______________ ___________ _____________

___________

W B Braxton L E Grantham Jr R L Stallings A C

Grantham P B Hunter

Chairman Assessor Assessor

Assessor Assessor

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