The Jones County Board of Tax Assessors opted not to appeal this year’s sales ratio at the conclusion of its September board meeting.
The Sept. 4 meeting was called to order by Chairman Leigh Stanford. The board members moved through the agenda items quickly with nothing out of the ordinary to be considered.
All members of the Board of Tax Assessors were in attendance.
Board secretary Bill Goodman went through the agenda items that included reporting three items of undeliverable mail, the approval of one homestead exemption and the approval of 81 error and relief items.
Goodman explained the E&R items included anything that was changed after the assessments were mailed.
The final item was the approval of 17 motor vehicle appeals.
Stanford said the 2024 sales ratio was received from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts Aug. 12. She asked Goodman, who is also an appraiser, to explain its significance.
Goodman said the sales ratio for 2024 was 35.52.
“It’s a big improvement. We have a long way to go, but it’s much better,” he said. “I believe next year we will be over 38.”
Stanford said they expected the ratio to be much lower, but fortunately the methodology to calculate the ratio changed. She again asked Goodman to explain.
Goodman said, in previous years, the DOAA used the assessments and sales from the same year. This year they used the sales from 2023 but the 2024 assessments. That meant that the work done to correct the errors could make a difference.
The chairman said she was asked by a commissioner if the board intended to appeal the ratio. She stated that, in her opinion, the criteria for an appeal are not there.
Goodman said he spoke with interim chief appraiser Jim Davis. He said the county’s sales ratio looked good, and there was no reason to appeal.
Stanford said board members were aware that changes were needed.
“We looked at the assessments, practices and values and took measures to correct it,” she said.
Board member Joe Rutledge said he was glad the county was going in the right direction.
Board member Justin Kelly asked Goodman what the anticipated number for the 2024 Sales Ratio had been before the methodology was changed. The appraiser said it was expected to be in the 20s.
Kelly responded that the county does not need to appeal.
“I think we’re good,” he said.
Goodman agreed. “I think we are in good shape. I believe next year we are going to be really good. Going from $60 to $110 a square foot made a difference,” he said.
The meeting was adjourned to enter closed session for a brief meeting. The meeting was called back to order to adjourn again with no action taken.
The next meeting of the Board of Tax Assessors is scheduled at 5 p.m., Oct. 2.
