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 # 11-07



The Columbus, Georgia, Board of Tax Assessors met Wednesday, March 14, 2007,

at 2:00PM with Chairman William Braxton, Assessors Lawton E. Grantham Jr.,

Ann Grantham, and Pat Hunter present. Also present was Chief Appraiser Betty J.

Middleton. Assessor Richard Stallings was absent.



Assessor Lawton Grantham made a motion to excuse Assessor Richard Stallings due

to illness; Assessor Ann Grantham seconded the motion, motion carried.



Assessor Pat Hunter made a motion to approve Minutes #10-07, Assessor Ann

Grantham seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously



Chief Appraiser Betty Middleton apprised the Board that the results of the

appeal to UGA regarding job reclassifications had been received and we were not

successful with our appeal.



Met with Mr. Lumpkin III representing YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus GA Inc.

regarding a request for non-taxability for property located at 1327 1st Ave

(Parcel ID 004 002 003). Mr. Lumpkin said the property was purchased in March

of 2005 and rented until August 2006. He said since that time they have been

making preparations to demolish the existing buildings to build the new YMCA.

He said they had a press conference in December 2006 to announce their

intentions. After discussion Assessor Lawton Grantham made a motion to deny the

request for non-taxability for 2007, since the property was not in a qualifying

use on January 1, 2007; Assessor Ann Grantham seconded the motion, motion

carried. Assessor William Braxton abstained from voting.



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

Board regarding homestead exemption for Parcel ID 100 021 006.



Met with Mr. Williams regarding untimely filing for homestead exemption for

property located at 6332 Williamsburg Dr (Parcel ID 100 021 006). Mr. Williams

stated he went to the Tax Commissioner?s Office a few days before the March 1st

deadline and asked what he needed to file for homestead exemption; he said he

was told he needed the original copy of his deed, which he did not have with

him at that time. He stated the clerk did not tell him of the deadline for

filing homestead exemption. He said when he returned it was past the March 1st

deadline and he was told his application would be for tax year 2008. Assessor

Lawton Grantham made a motion to deny the application for homestead exemption

for 2007 due to untimely filing; Assessor Ann Grantham seconded the motion;

motion carried.







Page 2

Min11-07



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

following:



2007 Map Splits: 4

2006 Map Split: 1

2007 Permits %: 267

2007 Move-Ons %: 2

2007 Demo & Fire: 25



Res Div Chief Bob O?Brien discussed with the Board a proposed settlement

received from City Attorney Clifton Fay regarding an appeal to Court for Parcel

ID 170 001 004. The Board of Tax Assessors said they are standing firm on our

value.



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

following:



2006 Permits: 8



Assessor Lawton Grantham made a motion that all applications for tax exemption

should be submitted by closing of the tax records; Assessor Ann Grantham

seconded the motion. Motion carried. The written policy will be presented to

the City Attorney and enacted upon his approval.



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

the following:



Assessment Corrections: 1(-)

Appeal 2007: 1(-)

Freeport Applications: 6 (Approved)

1 (Denied)



Pers Prop Div Chief Oliver Juhan discussed correspondence he had received from

Mr. Murray Williams about his tax return on his boat.



Adjourned 4:35PM.





BETTY J. MIDDLETON

Secretary





APPROVED:____________________________________





__________ ______________ ___Absent ___ _____________

__________

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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