Chattooga County is paying a private company more than $158,000 per year for property assessment services, according to information obtained through an open records request and reported by AllOnGeorgia.

The county currently pays GMASS $13,194 per month, or $158,328 annually, for assessment services. That represents more than one-quarter of the annual budget for the Chattooga County Tax Assessor’s Office.

According to the report, the Tax Assessor’s Office has an annual budget of $586,987 and is budgeted for six employees, although the office currently has four employees.

The payments have drawn additional attention as Chattooga County property owners receive their latest assessment notices, with some residents reporting substantial increases in property valuations.

New Three-Year Contract Approved, But Not Signed

The Chattooga County Board of Assessors has also approved a new contract with GMASS covering 2028 through 2030.

That proposed three-year agreement is valued at $495,000, but Chief Appraiser Nancy Edgeman said the contract has not been signed.

According to Edgeman, the Board of Assessors approved the agreement before forwarding it to the Chattooga County Sole Commissioner and county attorney for review in accordance with county policy.

The distinction is important because Chattooga County operates under a sole commissioner form of government.

Property Owners Have Until September 14 To Appeal

The county’s qPublic property records have been updated, and property owners who disagree with their assessment have until September 14, 2026, to file an appeal.

An assessment notice does not necessarily represent the amount of property tax a homeowner will ultimately owe. Assessments establish property values used in calculating taxes, while the final tax bill also depends on the millage rates established by the appropriate taxing authorities.

Property owners considering an appeal should review the value assigned to their property, comparable properties and other information that may support their position before the deadline.

The current GMASS agreement covers 2025 through 2027, while the proposed $495,000 agreement would continue the company’s services for another three years beginning in 2028.