Property Assessment Appeals
 

 New Information on Tax Appeals

At a recent meeting of the Board of Equalization, the subject concerning property tax appeals was discussed. Some interesting things came out of that meeting.  The basis of valuation for property tax purposes is January 1 of the year taxes are due.  For this year, it was January 1, 2008, which means valuations were based on 2007 sales.  Prices are down significantly this year (perhaps as much as a 9% decrease).  Therefore, in 2009, you will want to pay close attention to your property valuation.  You can appeal your valuation if you feel it does not reflect the market value of your home.

The county sends out notices of valuation before June 1, but only on business or residential property values that have increased.  At that point, you can appeal the increase.  A proactive move is to file the Taxpayer’s Return of Real Property form with your stated value of your property.  They will then review your file to see if they need to change the valuation.  Now if you find that your property values have stayed the same and you feel that due to economic down turn, your values have decreased, you may still file for a property tax appeal.  This form can be filed between January 1 and April 1.  The form is attached for your information.  You must be able to support the stated value of your property with either an appraisal from an appraiser, a competitive market analysis from a realtor or formulate your own research.  The county has all sales data on their website at http://qpublic.net/ga/henry/index-search.html. You will need to enter your address and you can then search other sales in your neighborhood for comparison.  If you have made significant improvements to your property (like finishing a basement or adding on) without the county knowing it, you may not want to do this for obvious reasons.

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Henry County currently has 3727 houses on the market; many of them foreclosed.  Housing values have dropped 6.5% in the previous 12 months.  Henry County reported a 58% dip in sales, to 170 homes in May 2008 from 405 in May of 2007.  The Case-Shiller Price Index, a national home price study, shows Atlanta area home prices have declined steadily since July 2007; the beginning of the credit and sub-prime mortgage crisis.  Eugene James, with MetroStudy quoted, in a recent ARC presentation, that the standing inventory for residential building lots in Henry County is between 10,000 and 12,000.  This is a 9.4 year inventory.  It has been said, by many economists, that the housing market fall has reached its bottom and we may begin to see a turn around in early 2009. 

In such a time as this, when we are in an economic downturn, the Henry County Tax Assessor's office increased the value of many properties in Henry County.  This, in turn, raises the taxes of property owners in a deflated market where fuel is at record prices and continues to climb daily; food prices have followed suit.  Where is the relief?

Sample Letter to Assessors Office

Henry County Assessors Office

140 Henry Parkway

McDonough, GA 30253

Henry County Board of Assessors:

Please be advised that I, (property owners name), disagree with the reassessed current market value the Tax Assessor’s Office placed on subject property located at (property address); further identified by property map code No.______________, property description LLOT-_____________ LDIST____________, Lot No. (if applicable_______). Property values have decreased over the last 12 month period, but my assessment has increased. (At this point list other conditions by which you feel the reassessed value is in error).

I respectfully appeal the assessed value change to the (choose either "Board of Equalization" or through "Arbitrator") for relief regarding this increase in value.

Sincerely,

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 History and Founding of the Henry Council for Quality Growth

Henry County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.  In response to rapid growth in the county, the Henry Council for Quality Growth was founded in 2001 to encourage better communication between elected officials and local developers and builders and to insure equal enforcement of ordinances to builders and developers.  The Council and its working members promote the continued,  balanced and responsible growth of Henry County.

Stan Cameron of Cameron Development, Gerald Hudgins of Apple Realty, Inc., Kay Pippin, current executive director of the Chamber of Commerce (the first executive director of the HCQG, who was part-time at that time) and a handful of other local development companies, were involved in the founding of the Council.

This group of individuals began holding meetings with local elected officials, builders, developers and small business owners to assess the interest and need of such an organization in Henry County. Within just a few weeks, enough interest was garnered and participation committed that the founding Council members felt ready to officially launch the Council and open it up to local membership.

In the early days, the Council had to overcome a major hurdle: proving that it was a credible organization, truly interested in and dedicated to quality growth in and the improvement of our county, and demonstrating that our members were not simply promoting growth for the sake of growth alone or for their own benefit. Our Council members live and work in Henry County and are committed to improving the quality of life in our county. Given time, the Council was able to establish its credibility and begin making positive changes toward smart growth in Henry County.

The Council quickly began making such changes, some of our milestones include: reaching 100 members within our first year (the Council’s membership is now close to 300); drawing county and city elected officials to our monthly luncheon meetings; creating the full-time Executive Director position and attracting prominent and high profile luncheon speakers each month such as Governor Sonny Perdue, former Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor, and former Secretary of State Cathy Cox.

The Council, with a strong board of directors made up of respected community leaders, is proud to now have a “seat at the table” in decision-making in the county. Influencing infrastructure and regulatory issues, the Council works to insure the economic vitality of Henry County, while offering numerous benefits to our members and the community at large. Our monthly meetings are held to educate members, local elected officials and business leaders on the Council’s pursuit of continued balanced and responsible growth.

The Henry Council for Quality Growth will continue to promote long range planning and adequate delivery of government services for all citizens, serve as a catalyst for consensus on growth issues and provide a forum for discussion of responsible development, and assist with economic or technical expertise as needed.

Make Your
HCFQG Luncheon Reservations Today

The HCFQG holds luncheon meetings each month at the Eagles Landing Country Club. Networking begins at 11:00 am and lunch and a special speaker follows at 11:50 am.

Check our Schedule for luncheon dates.


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HCFQG Member...