Ruling in Columbus property tax suit could have statewide impact

COLUMBUS - A lawsuit challenging Columbus&#39; 19-year freeze of property tax assessments goes before a judge this week, and the outcome could affect other Georgia counties with similar tax laws. <br> <br> The lawsuit by 22 Columbus residents says the city tax law gives an unfair benefit to longtime homeowners while shifting the tax burden to newcomers, renters and commercial property owners. <br> <br> City voters overwhelmingly approved the law in 1982. It freezes a home&#39;s assessed value, used to calculate property taxes, at the time of purchase. The freeze lasts until the owner sells the home or improves it through renovations. <br> <br> Sumter County Superior Court Judge George Peagler Junior will hear arguments in the case Thursday morning. The case was moved to Peagler&#39;s court in Americus after Muscogee County judges, all Columbus-area homeowners, recused themselves. <br> <br> Lawyers for the city of Columbus say the law protects taxpayers against inflation, helps homeowners on fixed income keep their homes and allows property owners to estimate their future tax liability. <br> <br> The idea has caught on in other parts of Georgia. Voters in Chatham, Cobb and Gwinnett counties all approved similar tax freezes in 2000.

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