Jones County Commissioners dealt with a problem years in the making that has the potential of causing issues with the Georgia Department of Revenue and the assessment of property values.
Board Chairman Chris Weidner called the April 16 meeting to order and the opening prayer and pledge was led by Wayne Grier with the Jones County Fire Department.
The first item of New Business was a resolution requesting a Georgia Department of Revenue review of the Jones County Tax Assessor’s Office.
County Administrator Jason Rizner presented the issue to the commissioners. He said the county received notice that its land value ratio was too low.
Rizner said the county can request a review from the state to evaluate its operations and procedures.
Commissioner Daylon Martin asked how long it had been since Jones County had a review.
Commissioner John Wood, who served on the Board of Tax Assessors prior to becoming a commissioner, explained that reviews are done every three years, and one is due this summer.
Wood said the issue is the difference in what properties are selling for and their valuations.
“That lowers our sales ratio. Out of 159 counties, 50% are below the acceptable sales ratio,” he said.
The commissioner said the tax assessors’ office realizes the ratio is low and is working to get it up. He said one solution would be to lower the millage rate as tax assessments rise.
“This is due to the influx of people buying property during the COVID years. If we ask for a review, it could lead to assessments being raised and higher taxes for property owners,” Wood said.
He suggested the county not flag itself. The commissioner said Chief Appraiser Anthony George knows the assessments are low and is working on the problem.
Weidner stated the board should let people know the county has a problem. He said it has been years since Jones County has had a reassessment.
“We need to go ahead and address it now. The best way to do that is a roll back, and we need to give the heads up now,” he said.
Commissioner Daylon Martin said the challenges are because of inequities across the county.
“I’m not a fan of inviting extra scrutiny while property values are nuts,” he said. “We have the ability to correct the problem.”
Commissioner Sam Kitchens said that is the problem with chasing sales. He said there are no fair assessments of value.
“We are nowhere near where the state says we need to be. I want to know how we got here and how to make sure we don’t get here again. Who else do you call?” he asked.
Kitchens said he believes the assessments in the county are all over the place, and he does not have a problem with asking the state to look at the county’s process.
Martin said property sales have been “killing it.”
“It’s been a benefit not to have to pay it; now you have to pay it,” he said.
Kitchens made a motion to ask for a review from the Georgia Department of Revenue. That motion died without a second.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn said she would like to have George come in and discuss the situation. She made a motion to call a work session on the issue.
Weidner said he would like to know what happens if the county does not comply, and Wood said he would like to know how the state came to its ratio.
Kitchens reminded board members of their surprise with a previous audit and losing the appeal.
“We’ve been told we were not doing something right,” he said.
A reassessment of property values does not necessarily mean higher taxes for all property owners. At the conclusion of the process, board members have the ability to roll back the millage rate to equalize the amount of property taxes.
The only other items of new business discussed at the meeting was a Facebook page for the county for the purpose of information.
Martin made the motion to approve the page, and it was approved unanimously.
Old business
Weidner said the commissioners had three great work sessions with firefighters.
Kitchens made the motion to go forward with the search for a full-time EMA Director, full-time administrative assistant and a full-time trainer. Until the position is filled, Thomas Coleman would be appointed as interim chief.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Rizner brought the second item of Old Business again asking direction for the wording for the projects for the Transportation Special Purpose Sales Tax referendum. He said the cost of paving dirt roads is $1 million a mile.
The administrator gave commissioners a spreadsheet with a list of projects and costs. He said he needs clarification for priorities and the rail spur that has a $3 million price tag.
Weidner said allowing package sales in the county could help with the shortfall for road paving.
Kitchens said designating 30% for dirt roads would not get them far down the list. He said they could maybe get 10 roads done, but he also brought up paving the parking lot in the Morris Bank Recreation Complex.
Martin said he would like to keep the project list, devoting 30% of collections to dirt roads.
“We are behind on roads,” he stated.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn said she grew up on a dirt road and does not want her road paved.
“But there are a lot of people who do. We have to educate the public about the importance of voting for the TSPLOST,” she said.
Vaughn said the TSPLOST is the fairest tax because everyone who comes through Jones County pays it.
Rizner also spoke about the use of supplemental LMIG funds the county recently received from Georgia Department of Transportation Martin made the motion to use supplemental funds for the 10 worst roads in the county. The vote to approve was unanimous.
The administrator said he would get an update for the price of the parking lot. He said the use of TSPLOST funds is flexible so long as they are used for transportation.
Commissioner John Wood said he believed the county needed to be specific about the projects on the referendum so people would know what they are voting for.
Kitchens said the list had been prioritized and asked Rizner to bring a list back to the next meeting.
Comments
Rizner said work continues in State Place Cemetery. He said Len Strozier from Omega Mapping has been working with ground penetrating radar and has found 500 unmarked graves so far.
“There are a couple of areas off the parcel. There’s a lot of graves there,” he said.
The administrator said Strozier continues to work.
John Avery, Janice Kizziah and Steve Ard spoke about continuing issues on their dirt roads.
Alton West brought the commissioners a problem on Graham Road. He said he was approached by the property owners because they did not know what to do.
Kitchens said the public works department was aware of the problem and is working on a plan.
The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled May 7.
