Tax Digest Almost Ready

With submission of the 2004 tax digest anticipated for mid-December, according to Jasper County chief appraiser Brac Bohannon, the Board of Tax Assessors have convened twice in the past week in preparation for its release.

The digest’s untimely release will be late which is not altogether unfamilar to local taxpayers. This year’s tax collection will be far behind the state’s targeted timeline, traditionally in July, like recent years past.

During last Thursday’s regular meeting, the board approved two contracts to Keck & Wood for annual mapping services. Contracts approved included a $16,500 maintenance contract on splits and mapping and an $80,000 aerial photography contract for the tax assessors office. The aerial contract will be divided into two $40,000 annual payments.

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Both contracts were unanimously approved and were recommended for approval by the county commission.

Also, during the regular meeting chief appraiser Brac Bohannon updated the board members on a bid received for new telephone services in the office. Assessors requested two additional bids before making a selection and directed the chief appraiser to advertise for bids.

Assessors took a considerable amount of time to discuss conservation and preferential use application. Mr. Bohannon provided board members with a copy of Jones County’s redefined guidelines for conservation use convenants for review.

The assessors plan to adopt stricter guidelines for CU and will review the Jones County pamphlett prior to establishing a local policy. Meanwhile they reviewed several conservation use applications submitted during the revaluation period, approving many and requesting additional information for others.

A Monday called meeting was scheduled for the preparation of a presentation to the county commission regarding the tax digest. However, that meeting was canceled because of an unforseen glitch with the conservation use section.