Public utility providers in the county will be taxed at the full rate this year, Gilmer’s chief appraiser reported at a brief Board of Assessors meeting Thursday, Oct. 17.
“Because of our overall ratio from our previous sales ratio study from the Department of Audits, public utilities will be equalized at 40 percent,” chief appraiser Theresa Gooch told board members Tom Porter, Jerry Davis, Bill Logan, John Williamson and Gary Engel.
Public utility companies in Gilmer include those who provide telecommunication, electrical, gas and railroad services.
“The (overall) ratio is based on the previous year, which would be the 2018 Department of Audit study. For Gilmer County, our overall median ratio is 39.42. If it’s between 38 and 42, we’re able to collect public utility (taxes) at 40 percent. The office has been able to collect public utilities at an equalization rate of 40 percent since 2015,” Gooch noted.
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Porter said the overall number of property appeals filed in the county this year was the lowest amount in recent memory.
“Last Friday was one of our final days of the Board of Equalization (BOE). We have one more day on the book for any reschedules,” said Gooch about remaining appeals still to be heard by the BOE.