Formal response to Hall property assessment appeals planned by Aug. 1

GAINESVILLE - The Hall County Tax Assessors Office hopes to finish with formal responses to the appeals of this year's property assessments by August 1.

 

"We had 2,789 appeals by the deadline this year," Chief Tax Appraiser Steve Watson said Saturday.  "There is not a deadline per se’ to finish the appeals other than we are mandated by law to formulate a response in 180 days (6-months) but as always we will respond much, much sooner than that."

 

Watson added that there were 2,789 total appeals this year; 1,226 of those were for commercial/industrial properties, which represents 29 percent of all commercial/industrial properties assessment notices for the year.

 

"The appraisal staff is busy working to review all appeals, making phone calls and field checks," he added.  "Every consideration will be given to each property owner's concern. However, it’s important to note that the amount of the increase in the appraisal is not considered a valid reason for appeal. Even though it is certainly understandable that this would be a concern, by law we must focus on value and uniformity."

 

While lake properties were revalued at higher levels last year, many commercial properties have seen higher valuations this year. Watson did not indicate what percentage of appeals have been made by commercial property owners.

 

"The plan is," Watson said, "to have formal responses back out to most that appealed by the first of August. Any property concerned about the status of their appeal can call or email our office and we will be happy to discuss any details about their appeal."