The Gilmer County Board of Assessors approved this year’s property assessment notices when meeting Thursday, May 21.
The 33,321 real property, 1,733 personal property and nine FLPA (Forest Land Protection Act) notices were mailed last Friday. The 45-day appeal period lasts from May 22 - July 6.
The assessors office inside the Gilmer County Courthouse reopened to the public May 1 and property appeals can be filed in person, confirmed chief appraiser Theresa Gooch.
“Owners also have the option to mail in their appeal on or before the deadline of July 6,” she added.
Gooch said no in-home visits will be conducted for appeal purposes this year.
“On occasion, an owner will request an appraiser to come inside their home to review an interior discrepancy. During this appeal period, appraisers will work with the property owner on alternative options to resolve the discrepancy. Exterior appraisals will continue with the practice of social distancing guidelines and the use of face masks,” she noted.
In other news ...
﹣ One tax-exempt property application was approved, while another submitted for the same designation was denied.
A tax-exempt application submitted by Community Recovery Partnership Inc. for a 1.9-acre property on Old Highway 5 was approved. The application states that the building is used by the Appalachian Judicial Circuit to provide services to individuals who are part of the accountability court system.
Board members Gary Engel, John Williamson, Tom Porter, Bill Logan and Jerry Davis all voted to deny a tax-exempt application submitted by Southern Conservation Trust Inc. for a 218-acre wooded property on Tails Creek Church Road.
Information submitted by Southern Conservation Trust states that the organization is a public charity, which safeguards six public nature areas in Fayette County, conserves green space and natural habitats for the benefit of the general public and operates educational programs to the public at little or no cost.
The organization stated it has no intention to develop the Gilmer property and intends to maintain it as green space for the community.