Public Utility Values Are Decreased by Four Percent
During the Jasper County Board of Assessors (BOA) regular meeting last Thursday, Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley presented the board with a listing of the 2010 public utility values as provided by the state, which the state department of revenue furnishes after getting returns from the the public utilities and setting the values.
The 2010 value was reported at $64.3 million while the 2009 was $66.7 million, representing an approximate decrease of $2.4 million.
The list includes Norfolk Southern Corporation, Great Walton Railroad, AT&T Communications, Georgia Alltell Telecom, Bellsouth Telecom, Georgia Power, Dixie Pipeland, Central Georgia EMC, Georgia Transmission, Snapping Shoals, Tri-County EMC, Municipal Electric Authority, Level 3 Communications, Global Crossing, Progress Telecom, Elantic Telcom, XO Communications, Evercom Systems, Georgia Windstream, Squaw Creek Southern Railroad and Intellifiber Networks.
{{more}}
Also, Ms. Bentley reported to the board the results of the final 2010 Board of Equalization Appeals on property values. The results were as follows:
•The appeals of Direct TV, Muhammed Myukati, Joan Zager and Tony Morris Kitchens, were all denied and no changes were made in the values.
•The appeal of JNR Ice was upheld and the value was changed representing an approximate loss of tax revenues of $500.
•The appeal of Samuel Sullivan on the value of his lake front property was partially upheld. The property was valued at $196,000 while Mr. Sullivan had an appraisal of $154,000. The property value was reduced to $176,000 by the BOE, representing approximately $250 in lost tax revenue.
•Jed Lyles, Jr., withdrew his appeal.
•The appeals of Ingles Markets and Lisa Gentes were continued.
In other action the board unanimously approved reducing the value to one dollar each on 15 parcels in Southern Pines, which are all small interior lots off Jackson Lake Road, south of Ernest Gibson Road. No deed can be found on nine of the lots and the other six are not on an existing street, and the reduction in value will eliminate sending out bills which currently costs more than revenue collected.
Southern Pines represents 31.9 acres and was created in 1938 when the original owner, Rufus Adams, sold the parcels.
Also, the board unanimously approved the Conservation Renewals of Edward Raynor, Silas Turner, Lynda Gasses, Joseph Johnston, Bill Lane, Lawrence and Sabrena Dorsey, David and Tracy Newsom, Richard and Patsy Spradlin, John Calvin and Joan Fish, and Sammy and Karen Hooper. Property owners have until April 1, 2011 to apply for Conservation Renewal on property under 25 acres.
The board also approved the Error and Release Forms in which the fair market value was adjusted on seven properties for varying reasons.
Ms. Bentley also announced that the 2011 pricing values of boats and jet skis will remain frozen, however, according to the ABOS, a widely used marine valuation publication, the 2011 value of used boats has increased due to the demand for them.
Ms. Bently also announced that two open positions on the board will be appointed at the Commission meeting on Monday, December 20, at 6 p.m.
The next regular monthly meeting of the BOA was scheduled for January 13, 2011.
