Friday, May 3, 2002
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Friday, May 3, 2002 |
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Property appraisals are in the mail By JOHN
THOMPSON
More than 230,000 Fulton County property owners got a "gift" from the county this week. The county sent out reappraisal notices and residents will probably see an average 12 percent hike in their property's value, said chief appraiser John Cunningham. The total value of property in the county is now $97 billion and taxes are due Oct. 15 for residents in the unincorporated county, he added. If residents want to dispute the higher evaluation, Cunningham said instructions are printed on the tax bill. The appraiser said residents should be prepared to bring evidence to back up their claims. Additionally, the Fulton County Board of Assessors has published a newsletter to help homeowners better understand the property reassessment process. "The Facts on Property Revaluations" newsletter gives comprehensive information on how property is valued and how property owners can contest that valuation. "This newsletter is available in all Fulton County libraries and government service centers," said Board of Assessors Chairman Brady Barnett Jr. "Also, citizens may call 404-730-6440 to have one mailed." The Board of Assessors annually determines the fair market value of all real and personal property in the county for property tax purposes. The assessors are available to address homeowner associations or community group. Please call 404-730-6434 to schedule. Cunningham said the County Commission will have to advertise the millage rate in the next two weeks. If the county does not roll back the rates to compensate for the increased evaluations, it will have to advertise a tax increase. But the appraiser said the good news is the county is now evaluating property at 90 percent market value, which means it won't have to pay a penalty to the state. "Last year, the county paid more than $1 million in penalties. We won't this year, so residents will either see more services or a smaller budget," he said.
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