Board of Assessors s2

Barrow County

Board of Assessors 30 N. Broad St. * Winder, Georgia 30680 * (770) 307-3108

W.H. Kemp William Hockaday Beth Buchanan Bernice Melton Stewart Oliver Assessor Assessor Assessor Assessor Assessor

Board of Assessors Meeting Minutes January 11, 2017

William Hockaday, Chairman, called the Barrow County Board of Assessors to order on January 11, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Present for the meeting were Board members Bernice Melton, Beth Buchanan, Stewart Oliver and Secretary, Kim Hoopaugh. Don Elrod, Chief Appraiser, also attended the meeting. W.H. Kemp was unable to attend.

William Hockaday made a motion to approve the December 14, 2016 minutes as written. All Board members agreed but Bernice Melton, who abstained from voting.

Approval of the Pre-billed Mobile Home Digest was an addition to the Agenda. William Hockaday, Chairman of the Board signed off on the Consolidation Report on January 4, 2017. The Digest was sent to Melinda Williams, Tax Commissioner the same day. All Board members agreed to the approval of the Pre-billed Mobile Home Digest but Bernice Melton, who abstained from voting. This Consolidation Report is attached to the minutes.

Harrison Poultry and Johns Manville were scheduled on the Agenda to address the Board regarding personal property accounts #5530, #5535, #5600, #26140 and #7610. These accounts were audited by Traylor Business Services and appealed by the companies. Both Harrison Poultry and Johns Manville were able to resolve their appeals with Traylor Business Services, therefore these appointments were cancelled.

The Board nominated and voted on the Officers to serve the Board of Assessors for 2017. Beth Buchanan nominated Kim Hoopaugh to serve as Secretary. Stewart Oliver seconded the motion; Bernice Melton abstained from voting making the decision unanimous. Beth Buchanan nominated W.H. Kemp to serve as Vice-Chairman. Stewart Oliver seconded the motion; Bernice Melton abstained from voting making the decision unanimous. Beth Buchanan nominated William Hockaday to serve as Chairman. Stewart Oliver seconded this motion; Bernice Melton abstained from voting making the decision unanimous.

Winder Housing Authority submitted an Exempt Property Application for 2017 tax digest on parcel WN13-088. On January 21, 2016, this property went into the name of Innovation Crescent Properties LLC. The two partners in this entity are the Housing Authority of the City of Winder, Georgia and Northeast Georgia Housing Consortium, Inc. Both partners are tax exempt entities and the operation of low income housing properties is in furtherance of their stated tax exempt purpose. The property was previously 100% owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Winder, Georgia and qualified for an exemption when owned by them. After reviewing the application and the information submitted, the Board decided that they needed more information to prove that Innovation Crescent Properties LLC qualifies as a 501(c)(3). Kim Hoopaugh will call Michelle Yan, the Executive Director to see if they Page 1 of 2 Board of Assessors Meeting Minutes January 11, 2017 can address the Board at the February Meeting.

The Trustees of the Athens-Elberton District, Inc. submitted Exempt Property Applications for 2017 tax digest on parcels XX133-026, 027, 028 and 029. They are in the process of having the planning and zoning office combine these 4 parcels into a single parcel. Presently there is a metal office structure that has been updated for prayer services and meetings. This building is on parcel XX133-026. Joey Cofer, Assistant Chief Appraiser inspected the property and confirmed that it appeared that this building was being used for services. The Trustees also provided minutes from these meetings. After some discussion, Stewart Oliver made a motion to approve these parcels for exempt status contingent upon these parcels being combined as planned in the very near future. Beth Buchanan seconded the motion. Bernice Melton abstained from voting, making the decision unanimous. Kim Hoopaugh will send a letter explaining the Boards decision.

Don Elrod gave an office update on several different topics:  On January 5, 2017 Personal Property Returns were mailed out.  Don is obtaining bids on printing and mailing Assessment Notices.  Information regarding Tax Exemptions for taxpayers will be in the newspaper this month.  The appraisal staff has added 310 new residences so far, generating 40 million in value.  Economic factors have been removed from approximately 8,500 properties.  Commercial and Industrial properties update will probably be at least a 2 year process.

The list of Homestead Applications were reviewed and approved by the Board. William Hockaday, Chairman of the Board signed off on the list. The list is attached to the minutes.

The ACO’s for the month of December 2016 were reviewed and approved by the Board. William Hockaday, Chairman of the Board signed off on this list. This list is attached to the minutes. A copy will be sent to Danielle Austin, Secretary to the Board of Commissioners for entry into their official records.

The Vehicle Appeals for the month of December 2016 were reviewed and approved by the Board. William Hockaday, Chairman signed off on the list. The list is attached to the minutes.

Stewart Oliver made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 a.m. All Board members agreed.

______W. H. Kemp, Vice Chairman

______Beth Buchanan

______Bernice (Bunny) Melton

______William (Bill) Hockaday, Chairman