#PropertyTaxes | AM 1180 Radio

September 12, 2026

Walker County Approves $39.9 Million Budget With No Tax Increase

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Walker County commissioners have approved a $39.9 million budget for fiscal year 2027 without increasing the county’s tax rate, following several months of discussion over rising expenses and how to balance the spending plan.

The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved the budget during its September 3 meeting. The new fiscal year begins October 1 and runs through September 30, 2027.

The final budget includes funding for three additional firefighters and does not add any other new county positions. County employees will receive a 3% cost-of-living adjustment.

Getting to the final spending plan took several months. When the budget process began this summer, county departments had submitted requests totaling more than $50 million. Chairwoman Angie Teems and county staff worked with department heads to reduce those requests by more than $10 million.

As recently as August, commissioners were still facing a projected $1.9 million gap between revenues and expenses, prompting the board to delay a budget vote while members considered additional changes. Among the pressures on the budget were inflation, state-mandated expenses, a new ambulance service contract, firefighter staffing and employee compensation.

The final $39.9 million spending plan was adopted without a tax increase.

For comparison, Walker County’s FY2026 General Fund budget was approximately $37.25 million.

September 10, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

September 14 Deadline Approaching For Chattooga County Property Tax Appeals

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Chattooga County property owners who disagree with their 2026 property assessment have only a few days remaining to file an appeal.

September 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Property Tax Meeting Explains Appeals, Tax Relief And Changes For Chattooga County Homeowners

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Chattooga County residents who missed Monday night’s meeting on property taxes and the assessment appeal process can now watch a recording of the program online.

September 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Commissioners To Consider FY 2027 Budget, Millage Rate And $2.2 Million Courthouse Project

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The Walker County Board of Commissioners will have several major financial decisions before it when commissioners meet Thursday evening, including adoption of the county’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget and millage rate.

August 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Tax Commissioner Explains Senior Property Tax Questions Heading To November Ballot

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Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is providing additional information about property tax exemption questions voters will see on the November ballot, including proposed changes affecting homeowners who are at least 70 years old on January 1, 2027.

August 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Free Property Tax Class Set For Monday In Chattooga County

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Chattooga County residents who have questions about their property assessments, appeals or tax bills will have an opportunity to hear directly from county officials during a free property tax class Monday, August 31.

The class, “Understanding Property Taxes in Chattooga County,” will begin at 6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, 33 Middle School Road in Summerville.

The goal is to give residents a clearer understanding of how property taxes work at the local level, including assessments, appeals, exemptions, tax relief, tax bills and how the county millage rate is established.

Sole Commissioner Andy Allen will open the class with an overview of the property tax process and explain the roles of the different elected county officials involved. Allen will also discuss how the millage rate process works.

Chattooga County Tax Assessor Nancy Edgeman will explain the property tax appeal process and the duties of the Tax Assessor’s Office.

Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton will cover how taxpayers can understand and estimate their tax bills, the different layers of property tax relief available in 2026 and property tax exemptions.

The class comes at a particularly important time for local property owners, with many Chattooga County residents questioning their latest property assessments and filing appeals.

The program is Monday, August 31, at 6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville.

August 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Commissioner Allen Seeks Changes Before Approving GMASS Agreement.

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Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen is raising questions about the terms of a proposed new three-year contract with Georgia Mass Appraisal Solutions and Services, or GMASS, the private company that provides property appraisal services for the county.

August 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County To Host Free Tax Appeal Class August 31st

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Chattooga County will host a free Tax Appeal Class on Monday, August 31st at 6 PM to help property owners better understand the process of appealing their 2026 property assessments.

The location for the class is still being finalized.

Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen said he is working to secure a location and will release a flyer once the site is confirmed. Allen is also finalizing who will teach the class.

The class is being organized in response to a high volume of property owners filing appeals on their tax assessments this year.

This is not the first time Chattooga County has seen a large number of appeals. In 2023, more than 3,000 property owners filed appeals after receiving their assessment notices.

At that time, Allen was a private citizen and held a community-wide meeting to help residents better understand how the appeals process works. Now, as sole commissioner, Allen is again working to provide residents with information about how to file and handle an appeal.

The August 31st class is expected to cover the basics of the appeal process, including how property owners can review their assessment, file an appeal and understand the steps that follow after an appeal is submitted.

County officials are expected to release additional details once the location and instructor are confirmed.

The free Tax Appeal Class will be held Monday, August 31st at 6 PM. WZQZ News will provide the location and additional information as soon as it

August 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Tax Commissioner’s Rock Spring Office Closing Temporarily For Repairs

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The Walker County Tax Commissioner’s office in Rock Spring will close to the public beginning Monday, August 24th, as renovation and repair work continues at the Local Government Services building.

The building, located at 122 Highway 95, sustained substantial water damage in April after a pipe burst overnight, flooding several offices and public areas.

A restoration team began work earlier this month, starting on the second floor, where the Walker County Assessor’s office is located. Work on that portion of the building is not expected to be completed until after Labor Day.

The Tax Commissioner’s office handles tax payments for land, homes and personal property, along with vehicle tag and title services.

While the Rock Spring office is closed, most Tax Commissioner staff will relocate to the Rossville office at 2012 McFarland Gap Road. Additional service windows will be available there for the public. The Rossville office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 5 PM, and a night drop is also available.

Officials say operations at the Planning and Zoning department, which is also located inside the Local Government Services building, are not expected to be disrupted.

The building is insured.

August 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Concerned Citizens Offering Free Property Tax Appeal Forms Today In Summerville

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Chattooga County property owners who want to appeal their 2026 property assessment can pick up a free appeal form in downtown Summerville today.