On Friday, July 11, or Monday, July 14, the Board of Tax Assessors will meet to examine Habersham’s 2025 tax digest. Before the digest is accepted by the county tax commissioner, it must be approved by the assessors.
Board meeting date is up in the air
The assessors were unsure if the digest would be ready by the Friday meeting, therefore two sessions were announced, according to County Clerk Brandalin Carnes. Carnes will update the public notice if the digest is not ready by Friday.
Joan Church, the chief appraiser, said that if the Friday meeting proceeds as planned, the Monday meeting will be canceled.
We are currently reviewing the digest, making necessary revisions, and attempting to ensure that our estimates are accurate,” she stated.
During the June 30 Board of Commissioners meeting, County Manager Tim Sims revealed that the vendor in charge of operating the tax assessment software had inadvertently expanded the county’s exemptions under GA House Bill 581. According to Church, the error has caused a delay in finishing the digest.
She said, “We’ll cancel that meeting and meet on Monday if those issues aren’t resolved by Friday.”
Church expects increased, frozen values
The analysis will reveal higher home values for Habersham residents, the head appraiser said. She was unable to predict how much the values would increase.
Church emphasized that despite this rise, many taxpayers will not notice a difference on their tax bills because to the exclusions granted by HB 581, even if digest values have changed. According to her, they will be making payments on frozen values.
Habersham will now amend the article to include the accurate date of the meeting. For developments, check back on Thursday.
