Monticello Council Hears from Chief Appraiser

The Monticello City Council Tuesday heard from Jasper County Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley about revaluations in the city and throughout the county. Mayor Pro tem Stone Workman has been quite vocal about the revaluation that took place in the city last year causing values to increase an ultimately tax bills to increase.

Mrs. Bentley was accompanied at the City Council meeting by members of the Board of Tax Assessors, Londa Champion, chairman; Larry Smith and Karen Breeding, board members. In addition Commission Chairman Carl Pennamon, Vice-Chair Bruce Henry, and Don Jernigan were in attendance, as was County Manager Mike Benton, who frequently attends.

Mrs. Bentley made a presentation about property values, explaining how her office is audited by the Department of revenue. She had a printout showing what the sales ratio, which is supposed to be 38 to 42, has been since 1992, the farthest back she had records. She also had a printout showing how the values of all City Council members’ properties, the Board of Commissioners properties, the Tax Assessors properties, and the property of the members of the Jasper County Board of Education, showing most had increased.

Mr. Pennamon’s property decreased slightly in value, and Councilwoman Cynthia Miller’s house went way down as it was demolished after being destroyed by a storm last year, but most other properties had increased, some more than others. Mr. Workman’s property increased significantly this year, apparently the cause of his consternation. He continually talks about the tax assessors “targeting” the city.

Mrs. Bentley explained that the whole county is revalued every five years. The Assessors take 1,500 parcels a year to examine and confirm that what they are being taxed on is what is really there. Each parcel has a personal visit by an appraiser who checks the condition of the home as well as other structures on the property. Oftentimes, property owners have added on without getting a building permit, so when the changes are picked up, the property owner is charged for them.

Most importantly, values are based on sales, so if property is selling for more money, then it is valued higher. She told how property had come back since the downturn in 2008. At some point, Mr. Workman interrupted Mrs. Bentley, and said he had in invited Mrs. Champion to speak, not Mrs. Bentley. Mrs. Champion then said that as a board they voted to have Mrs. Bentley, their employee, make the presentation. Mayor Bryan Standifer urged Mrs. Bentley to continue.

Mr. Workman asked Mrs. Bentley if any parcels other than those in the city were “targeted” last year. She reiterated they examine 1,500 parcels a year, in addition to working building and remodel permits, and last year the city and some surrounding property was examined. Mrs. Bentley tried to explain how the taxation process works, and said they do not make up values. It is all numbers, she said.

Mr. Workman said the city’s tax digest was up some $6 million, but the unincorporated areas only went up some four percent. Mrs. Bentley explained that when the city was revalued in 2004, some of the older homes were grossly undervalued. The new valuations make up for that. She explained the county has gone up every year. She said “We have to make changes based on the market.” She went on to say there is “no nefarious intent.”

Mr. Workman had introduced a resolution to send a letter to Rep. Susan Holmes and Sen. Burt Jones to investigate the fairness of assessment valuation by the Jasper County Board of Assessors for all city of Monticello residents. After the presentation, during which Mr. Bentley explained that the Department of Revenue will come to an audit, for a price, Mr. Workman withdrew his resolution.

Next on the agenda was a resolution requested by Mr. Workman to send to the county to ask them to appointed at least one citizen who resides in the city of Monticello to the Jasper County Development Authority, the Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority, and the Jasper County Board of Assessors.

Commission Chair Carl Pennamon explained they advertise each vacancy, such as the recreation board vacancies currently being advertised, and interview each interested person. He said they certainly would not rule out having someone from the city serve, and indicated oftentimes it’s hard to find volunteers.

After Councilwoman Miller said she didn’t want to imply the county wouldn’t give city residents a fair chance, Mr. Workman also withdrew that resolution.

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, the council:

Got a report from new City Manager Tim Young about the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) monies from the state. He reminded council they had saved last year’s money to have more to work with, but that there was not a local match in the budget. However, Georgia Public Web just sent a check that was enough more than budgeted that those monies could be used as a match. The council voted unanimously to do that.

Approved renewing the contract with Advanced Disposal for garbage service.

Mr. Pennamon said that perhaps the county and city could work together on road projects and get a better price.

Approved Bates, Carter and Company, LLP, for the city’s audit for 2019 and 2020.

Approved the annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce.

Reminded all present that qualifying for the city election begins Monday, Aug. 19, and continues until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22.

Named City Clerk Karen Pennamon pension secretary.

Heard about an opportunity to get a gazebo for the Square through a matching grant with the Georgia Council for the Arts. They agreed to look into this in the future, possibly, but that there is not enough time to get an application in by the deadline, and the city did not budget matching funds.