Appeal Hearings Continue

The Jasper County Board of Equalization polished off another six appeal hearings last Friday.
All of the hearings were for 2006 conservation use (CU) applications reviewed and denied this year by the Board of Assessors (BOA). Many of the appeals reviewed Friday were CU covenants previously approved by a BOA board but later removed because of research showing restrictive covenants in those areas.

BOE chairman Francis Cason expressed his belief, based on the Georgia appeal case #186 Fayette County Board of Assessors vs. Georgia Utility Company, that the BOA does not have the legal authority to void such covenants once placed.
Appeals heard and decided included:

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•Lamar Powell CU
Barnes Mtn. Farms 11.79 acres
BOA removed from exemption status because of restrictive covenants
2-1 BOE upheld BOA
Mr. Cason dissented

•Jon and Cynthia Price CU
N. Jasper Farms 25.71 acres
BOA removed from exemption status because of restrictive covenants
2-1 BOE upheld BOA
Mr. Cason dissented

•David and Beverly Powell CU
Barnes Mtn. Farms 10.02 acres
BOA removed from exemption status because of restrictive covenants
2-1 BOE upheld BOA
Mr. Cason dissented

•Jerry and Sylvia Williamson CU
Lake Ridge 10.04 acres
BOA denied because of limited covenants
2-1 BOE upheld BOA
Mr. Cason dissented

•Susan Stephens CU
East Greene Street
BOA denied exemption because located within the city limits
3-0 BOE reversed BOA denial

•Shirley Davis CU
College Street 10.3 acres
BOA denied exemption because located within the city limits
3-0 BOE reversed BOA denial

The BOE will conduct another appeal hearing session, at a yet undetermined date, to review the cases of those applicants who requested that their hearings be rescheduled.