Some Dougherty County homeowners are getting a shock in the mail after the county completed its first property reassessment since 2007. In one case, a homeowner saw her estimated property value jump from $78,400 to $146,900 in a single year — an increase of nearly 87%.

County officials say the reassessment was required after a 2022 state sales-ratio study found Dougherty County's property values were out of compliance with Georgia requirements. Because assessments apparently hadn't kept pace with the market for years, homeowners are now seeing what one county commissioner described as essentially a "20-year jump" instead of smaller increases along the way. The county hired outside firm GMASS to conduct the revaluation because the local tax office didn't have the resources to handle the required work.

Adding another wrinkle to the situation, one of the five members of the Dougherty County Board of Assessors, attorney Je'Nita Lane, was arrested in July and faces felony charges including deception, forgery, identity theft and computer theft. She remains on the board while the criminal case is pending, and county officials emphasized that the charges are allegations and that she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The higher assessments don't automatically mean property tax bills will increase by the same percentage. The actual amount homeowners pay will also depend on the millage rate adopted by local governments. County Chairman Lorenzo Heard says officials hope to roll back the millage rate and is encouraging property owners who disagree with their new valuations to appeal.

Homeowners wishing to appeal or get additional information can contact Dougherty County's appeal administrators at 229-431-2130.

Source: Dougherty County homeowners say updated tax assessments left them confused, concerned

Sounds like they're going through what Tifton went through about 2 years ago, huh?