Assessors Approve Preliminary Digest
The 2013 preliminary digest reflects a total county value of $320,094,129, as opposed to a value of $324,568,514 in 2012, a reduction of $4,474,385, or a decrease of 1.5 percent, Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley told the Board of Assessors (BOA) at its regular meeting Tuesday.
The digest is the value of all property in the county, based on sales, and according to the one presented to the BOA, values seem to be leveling off.
While this is a substantial amount, the rate of decrease is positive when compared to an eight percent decrease in 2012, an 11 percent decrease in 2011 and a 14 percent decrease in 2010.
According to information presented by Ms. Bentley, the 2012 land sales indicated the per acre range between north and south Jasper County to be shrinking, and also between large and small tracts, and paved and unpaved.
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In summary, it now seems the size or location doesn’t matter much in the county. No changes were recommended for large tracts and all sales on unpaved roads are very close to current values.
The neighborhood summary reflects decreases for Hawk’s Nest, Lake Ridge, Rock Eagle Farms, Jackson Lake Farms, Rollingwood Cove and Burney Estates/Marshall Park. No changes were recommended for any other neighborhood areas. Turtle Cove interior and lakefront sales were very close to where they are currently valued.
There were also sales close to current values in Jones Estates, Alcovy Shores lakefront, Templeton Heights lakefront and Alcovy North lakefront.
Ms. Bentley concluded, “Overall, it seems that the real estate market is stabilizing in the county. There are still some instances of low sales, but there are just as many sales that are fairly close to our current fair market values. Another encouraging sign is the ratio we have on the 2013 sales so far. If that trend holds there may not be any decreases for next year.”
Property Assessment notices are scheduled to go out in the mail on Monday, April 15.
In other action the BOA approved the following:
•To hold regular monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the court house.
•To hold a called meeting on Thursday, May 30 to finalize the digest.
•Approved the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) Index, which provides for an ad valorem tax exemption for property primarily used for the good faith subsistence or commercial production of trees, timber, or other wood and wood fiber products and excludes the entire value of any residence located on the property.
•Approved exemptions for eight manufacturers in the county.
•Agreed to table a obsolescent exemption from Georgia Pacific until more information is provided.
•Approved 16 Conservation Application Renewals, four Conservation Continuations and 12 New Conservation Applications (agricultural exemptions on property tax for property owners of over 10 acres with an exclusion of two acres for each livable home on the property).
