Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry released a statement on Tuesday after county residents got a shock when they opened their 2023 Chattooga County Property Tax assessments that were delivered to property owners this week.  The commissioner says that he wants to make sure the county tax digest is accurate and is working withe board of assessors and the tax commissioner to review the numbers.  He also offered an explanation for why the assessments are so high and says that he will be rolling back the millage rate to help with the dramatic increase in property values.  You can read the commissioner’s statement below:

I want to address the shocking correspondence from the Property Tax Assessors that most of us, including myself, received this week.
The assessment notices show large property value increases and have estimated this year’s taxes based upon the new value and last year’s millage rate.
Across our county and state, home and land sales prices have soared thus resulting in increased tax values.
I understand that with continued inflation caused by bad federal policies and the currently high values of the market people cannot afford the taxes as estimated in the assessment notices; Especially those on fixed incomes.
While I have no control over the property values, I do control the county millage rate. Therefore, in order to lessen the burden of the increased property tax values, I will be looking to rollback county taxes again this year.
I have done the roll back every year in office and plan to continue to do so as long as it is fiscally responsible.
Please note, I have no control over the millage rates set by the County School Board or any municipality.
I am currently keeping in close contact with our Tax Commissioner and Board of Assessors who are working to confirm that the numbers are accurate so that they can then send me an accurate rollback rate.
I understand everyone’s concerns, and I share in those concerns. If you have any questions please feel free to contact my office.