Gilmer County began 2011 with a 1.5 million dollar short fall. This large short fall which was carried forward into 2011, resulted from the gap between projected revenue and actual revenue in the 2010 budget.
FYN has consistently reported on the County budget workshops and decided to find out why the Gilmer County Tax Assessor’s Department did not offer any new cuts in the March 24th budget amendment; especially when such a large decrease needed to be made to the budget.

March 14th Workshop-JC Sanford gives Progress report regarding Budget cut meetings with Department Heads from Fetch on Vimeo.

Several departments opted to attend the workshop and voiced their view to the Commissioners regarding the budget cuts. Sheriff Stacy Nicholson explained that now his budget did not allow any funds for meth lab clean up and the DEA will no longer fund the clean up.

Sheriff Nicholson expresses his view to the BOC on budget cuts

(FYN interviewed the Sheriff regarding his budget- interview will be posted soon)

The Tax Assessor’s office did not have a representative from its department in attendance. However, Mr. Randy Bell, a tax assessor board member was there and was asked several questions concerning the tax assessor’s budget. Mr. Bell explained that he was not present to represent the Tax Assessor’s department and could not answer the questions. He further stated, “I had a discussion with Jeff (Jeff Holloway, Chairman of Board Tax Assessor) on Sunday evening- I thought we were going to present a reduction.” Commissioner Danny Hall asked Chairman Commissioner, JC Sanford, what was going on with this and Mr. Sanford replied, “They have just not come through.” To which Commissioner Will Beattie stated, “If these other departments can do what they have accomplished I feel like it’s a very fair statement to say that the Tax Assessor’s office needs to give.”

Budget Workshop 3-24 -Discussion regarding Tax Assessor’s Dept failure to cut budget from Fetch on Vimeo.

After these comments and reviewing the 2011 amended budget FYN wanted to look at this a little closer.

FYN conducted a phone interview with Jeff Holloway, Chairman Board of Tax Assessors on April 12th, to address the work shop comments and also FYN’s research regarding the budgets of Tax Assessor’s in surrounding Counties.
FYN -Q: What is your response to the following? Chairman Commission JC Sanford went to all departments to discuss more department cuts in March, at the 3-14 Budget workshop when Mr. Sanford gave his report on how those meetings went his quote concerning the Tax Assessors meeting was, “The only one I have gotten a really, (pause) I guess somewhat of a negative attitude the Tax Assessors office. She says if we cut her budget that much that it might be really difficult to give us a tax digest.”
Mr. Holloway –Response: That conversation was between Dawn Pruett (Chief Appraiser) and JC. She briefed me on the tone of the conversation.

FYN – Q: Can you explain why no new cuts were offered?
Mr. Holloway- Response: In the first round of requested cuts we cut bare bones ($300,000) since 2006 we have cut the staff 44%. I would be interested in seeing how many departments cut their staff by 44%. The budget is necessary to complete the mandates required by the state. The Assessor’s office has a lot of State mandates that have to be met. The county has roughly 33,700 parcels that have to be appraised once every 3 years.
FYN – Q: Is it necessary to have a Chief Appraiser and an Assistant Chief Appraiser because some surrounding Counties do not?
Mr. Holloway-Response: This is definitely possible but it would not change the fact that the duties of the assistant would still have to be done by someone. I can’t guarantee that there won’t be a problem losing the skill of the assistant. You will have to train someone to fulfill the duties of this position and that would require several State trainings and will cost money.

FYN – Q: How do neighboring Counties complete a tax digest with a smaller budget?
Mr. Holloway- Response: “This is worthy of looking into.” Mr. Holloway also said he was not sure how they do it but one thing he would like to know is how many of those Counties hit the State mandated assessment range. The State mandate is a 38-42% assessment range of assessed values. If a county is out of range they are penalized by the State and not allowed full assessment value on public utility properties. Gilmer County has made that range for the last 3 years. He would like to know how neighboring counties are doing on that.

FYN- Q: We explained to Mr. Holloway that during the Commissioners’ meeting on March 24th, before voting on the 2011 amended budget, FYN asked the BOC the following – “After voting on the budget do you intend on going to the Tax Assessor and discussing a decrease in its budget?” The reply from Will Beattie was, “that would be my request” and JC Sanford said, “yes.” So I asked Mr. Holloway if he had heard from the BOC.
Mr. Holloway- Response: “No – haven’t heard a word.”
FYN – Q: If they contact you will you discuss the budget with them?
Mr. Holloway – Response: “I’m open to look at it.”
Fetchyournews would like to thank Mr. Holloway for his willingness to discuss these matters.

BOC Meeting 3-24 FYN asks Commissioners question regarding Tax Assessor’s Budget from Fetch on Vimeo.

Story continues below:
After the interview with Mr. Holloway FYN then contacted Pickens County Tax Assessor’s office and spoke with Chief Appraiser Roy Dobbs. Mr. Dobbs told us the overall allowable range for level of assessment was between 36-44%. He said the 38-42% range was for public utility properties. If the county did not hit that range the public utilities could request to be assessed at a lower rate and the balance of the assessment would be placed on the home owners’ property tax bill. We asked Mr. Dobbs if Pickens County had been able to hit the range, to which he replied, “Yes, Pickens County has hit the range for the past 3 years.” Mr. Dobbs did stress the biggest problem and escalator in cost was trying to keep up with State mandates.