www.venmo.com/u/pikecountytimes, $pikecountytimes, and PayPal.Me/PikeCountyTimesLLC.
Editor Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor(@)pikecountytimes.com
Consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to Pike County Times to support the only free online newspaper in Pike County. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. You can also donate through www.venmo.com/u/pikecountytimes, $pikecountytimes, and PayPal.Me/PikeCountyTimesLLC.
Thanks for supporting Pike County's only free online newspaper!
May 13, 2025 - 9:00 AM
ZEBULON - This meeting was attended by members Lyn Smith, Gary Hammock, Vice Chair Parrish Swift, and Tim Ingram as well as Attorney Manager Rob Morton, Chief Appraiser Greg Hobbs, and Board Secretary Emily Morris.
I. Call to Order: 9:09 a.m.
Approved 4-0.
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Invocation - Chief Appraiser Hobbs
IV. Pledge of Allegiance
V. Approval of Minutes
Approval of April 8th, 2025, Regular scheduled Meeting Minutes Summary-Staff recommends approval.
Approved 4-0.
VI. Public Comment (w/5 minute time limit per person): None
VII. Invited Guest(s): (NONE)
Board Member Report
Smith. Question about Eagle Eye. Hobbs. When the roof came off, it put everyone behind. The notices already should have been in the mail. Running several weeks behind. Hopefully by the next meeting. Smith. We paid them to do a service that was put on the Consent Order, but they haven’t done this yet. Hobbs. My time has been devoted to correcting values. [Note from the Editor: The problem that put them behind is addressed in the Chief Appraiser Report.]
Smith. Some of the work arounds haven’t been updated yet to QPublic. Hobbs. QPublic is running at least a year old. Smith. Said that there is an issue with barndominiums, etc. not being updated on the digest. Some are 10 years old. Hobbs. Asked for maps and parcel numbers. Smith. How do we correct this? Hobbs. We’ve already started correcting things. Smith. 10 years we haven’t done walk arounds, and now all this stuff is coming back to bite us. Hobbs. Bring me a list, and I’ll look at it. Offered to let the Board go into closed session and take a vote on his job position as Chief Appraiser.
Swift. The entire block (the building that housed Tax Assessor, Tax Commissioner, Planning and Zoning, and the Registrar's Office as well as the County Commission Office Building) was down for a week which included the software to update. Let’s refine our issue. Parcels that are not on the books is the issue with Smith. Hobbs. I need map and parcel numbers. Swift. If you’re going to bring it up (Smith), you need to bring him some information. Hobbs. QPublic is a 3rd party entity. Swift. If we’re going to follow through with this, Smith needs to bring information to clarify this. [Note from the Editor: This was ugly, but Swift pulled things into order and addressed the issues that were being brought to the table.]
VIII. Chief Appraiser Report, Distribution of Budget/Discussion
63 days before the DOR deadline. Inspected 768 parcels. April 10, storm damaged the roof with power and internet outages. Inspected parcels including conservation during the outage. Discovered an error, made corrections, and are now back on track to meet the July 15 deadline.
Norman Appraisals has done their classes for years. $2,000 an acre. $4,000 for best. $1,000 for the worst. With some in between. We have always priced by the soils in the past. WinGap took the 5 acres times $4,000. Discovered that the night that the roof blew off. Worked on all of the small tracts parcel by parcel, took out the soils and fixed the problem. Then corrected and re-ran the report.
It took us nearly 2 ½ weeks to be where we are, notices should have been in the mail today but probably won’t be for another 2 weeks. Going to send out the notices, Normal Appraisals will help with the appeals. This is a complete reevaluation. If the appeal count is over 8%, there is a good chance that the digest won’t be accepted. ¾ of the parcels are residential, and they’re going up.
IX. Old Business: None
X. New Business
a. Approval of Freeport Exemptions Atha Interior 16138 and Wabash 5485- staff recommends approval.
Staff recommends approval. Wabash used to be Supreme. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
b. Approval of Non-Disclosure-Staff recommends approval
What are the checks and balances on this? When they are no longer law enforcement, do they come off? Not unless someone takes them off. Motion to approve. 2nd. Discussion. Smith. Concerned that people who are no longer on boards, etc. never come off of the books. Morton. Certain people qualify for this exemption – law enforcement, etc. – but the concern about them not coming off of the list when they are no longer in law enforcement is not the issue here. Approved 4-0.
c. Approval/Denial of downloading ABOS marine pricing Schedule-staff recommends approval.
For boats. We approve this every year. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
d. Approval/Denial of ABOS marine pricing Schedule-staff recommends approval.
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0
e. Approval/Denial reappraising of boats- staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
f. Approval to ratify consolidation value for 2025-based on staff recommendations
This has to be approved today so they can be put on the digest and become part of the digest. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
g. Approval of change of assessments for residential property after complete revaluation- staff recommends approval
All of the assessments went up. Motion for approval. Approved 4-0.
h. Approval of change of assessments for agriculture property after complete revaluation- staff recommends approval
Motion for approval. Approved 4-0.
i. Approval of change of assessments for conservation property after complete revaluation- staff recommends approval
Motion for approval. Approved 4-0.
j. Approval of change of assessments for commercial property-staff recommends approval
Went up 12% but not a complete revaluation. Motion for approval. Approved 4-0. [Note from the Editor: I address this in the Public Comment below because I'm concerned with residential being updated twice in a row without commercial getting their updates regularly too. At one time, we made changes in a scheduled manner with each set of property being addressed in separate years.]
k. Board consideration removal of boat for 2024 for Richard Williams
He owned it on January 1 but sold it in February. He is responsible for the taxes on January 1. Owes $295.73 for the taxes. He thinks that he shouldn’t have to pay this. Law says that he owes it for 2024 taxes because he owned it on January 1. Motion to deny. Denied 4-0.
l. Approval/Denial corrections for 020A-026C (Barronon)-Staff recommends approval
We had her with like 12 bathrooms in her home, and we corrected it. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
m. Approval/Denial accepting CUVA application for Godlewski due to damaged original-Staff recommends approval
She signed another one when she was in town. Damage was through the mail. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
n. Approval/Denial to remove mobile home from pre-bill to real property 58-47 B (Poston)-staff recommends approval
It’s not a manufactured home, but it needs to be added to the digest so taxes can be paid at the end of the year. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
o. Approval/Denial to send 2025 Property Tax Notices for Real and Personal property-staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0. Mailed out on the 29th. 2 weeks from today.
1. Real Property
a. Approval/Denial 15 Cuva continuations- staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
b. Approval/Denial 41 Cuva Renewal -staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
c. Approval/Denial 21 Cuva New- staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
d. Approval/Denial Homestead Exemptions 29 S1 (regular homestead)- Staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
e. Approval/Denial Homestead Exemptions 4 L4 (65 income based)- Staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
f. Approval/Denial Homestead Exemptions 56 L1 (65 non-income based)- Staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
g. Approval/Denial Homestead Exemptions 4 S5 (Disable veteran under 65)- Staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
h. Approval/Denial Homestead Exemptions 14 L7 (70 and older income based)- Staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
i. Approval/Denial Homestead Exemptions 25 L8 (70 non-income based)- Staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
j. Approval/Denial Homestead Exemptions 2 SD (Disable veteran 65 and older)- Staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
k. Approval/Denial 1 FLP (049-012) Weyerhaeuser Renewal-Staff recommends Approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
l. Approval/Denial 1 FLPA (027-002 c) Buxton renewal-staff recommends denial
Motion to deny because he doesn’t have 200 acres to get into the FLPA. Approved 4-0.
m. Approval/Denial Homestead Exemptions 1 L3 (62 income based)- Staff recommends approval
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
2. Personal Property
a. a. Lindsey-2004 GMC Sierra
$3,725 state value. $2,600 paid for it. Average is $6,400. Motion to go with the state value. Approved 4-0.
b. Shaw – 2018 Kia Sportage
It was a gift. State value $12,100. NADA is $18,000. Motion to go with the state value. Approved 4-0.
c. Hill 2016 Honda Odyssey
$4000 Owner estimate. State 7325 . State value $5430. Motion to go with the state value.
3. Executive Session. 10:02 a.m.
a. Chief Appraiser requests adjournment to Executive Session for: Discussion or deliberation on the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or employee, as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14- 3(b)(2), germane to Personnel
Back in session. 10:31 a.m.
XI. Public Comment
Becky Watts. When will the complete commercial reevaluation be done? 2025-26.
David Paulson. Doesn’t like things being hidden for law enforcement, etc. [Note from the Editor: This is in reference to non-disclosure where those in law enforcement, etc. can request to have their properties hidden on QPublic so they can’t be found easily by someone who may be targeting them based on their job. It’s a safety feature and admissible by law.] Are they paying their fair share? Thinks it is a way to hide things from the public. Tim Ingram. Thinks that they ought to have their name and what they are paying even if their property is hidden. Hammock. This is what the law is, and we have to abide by that.
XII. Board Members Report
XIII. Attorney Comments
None
XIV. Approval to Adjourn
Motion to adjourn. 10:35 a.m.
(AGENDA SUBJECT TO REVISION)
Here are links to some of the past meetings that Pike County Times has attended. There are more that are slowly going online. Budget time and the county commission are my focus right now.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS SPECIAL CALLED MEETING - December 9, 2024 - 9 a.m.
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor11.19.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - November 19, 2024 - 4:30 p.m.
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor11.19.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - August 20, 2024 - 11 a.m.
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor8.5.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - August 5, 2024 - 11 a.m.
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor8.5.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - July 16, 2024 - 4 p.m.
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor7.16.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - June 18, 2024 - 11 a.m.
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor6.18.24.html
Board of Assessors Leaves Sales Ratio at $91 Per Square Foot
By Editor Becky Watts
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor6.3.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - May 21, 2024 - 11 a.m.
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor5.21.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - March 7, 2024 - 11 a.m.
http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor3.7.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - February 6, 2024 - 4:30 p.m.
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor2.6.24.html
Click here to read: "BREAKING NEWS: Commission Votes to Appeal Fine and Request a State Review of the Board of Assessors" http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSrequestforreview2.2.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - January 18, 2024 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor1.18.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - January 4, 2024 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor1.4.24.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - December 19, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor12.19.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - December 5, 2023 - 11:30 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor12.5.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - November 9, 2023 - 11:30 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor11.9.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - October 17, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor10.17.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - October 3, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor10.3.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - September 19, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor9.19.23.html
BOARD OF ASSESSORS REGULAR MEETING - September 7, 2023 - 11:00 AM
http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/taxassessor9.7.23.html