Cherokee Leaders "Very Pleased" With Property Value Jump

The news of an increase in Cherokee County property tax values is not falling on deaf ears among local leaders.

The county learned last week that its gross tax digest grew to nearly $7.4 billion in 2013, up from $7.2 billion in 2012.

Cherokee County Chief Appraiser John Adams said after exemptions, the total net taxable digest is up by 3 percent for the county and up 2.8 percent for the school portion of property taxes.

County Commission Chair Buzz Ahrens said he was "very pleased" with the initial results overall.

The county was hoping to see either a 1 or 2 percent increase in property values, "so the out-of-the box 3 percent is a great message and starting point."

He noted there could be some "erosion" of the increase due to the appeals process, dropping the growth to about two percent. However, he noted that's "normal." 

The county is in the process of planning for its fiscal year 2014 budget, and Ahrens noted this news can help them figure out how they plan to fill budgetary shortfalls. 

"The fact that Cherokee is up at this value sends a very positive message overall to anyone looking at the county for expansion (or) relocation," he added. 

The digest is used by city, county and school leaders to set the millage rate to collect revenue for the upcoming fiscal year.

Today, the county will mail out 95,625 real property notices and of those, 37,297 increased in value, mostly 10 percent or less; 13,731 had no change in value; and the remaining 44,597 decreased in value of 5 percent or less.

Residents have a deadline of Thursday June 27 to appeal the assessments. The county's website also has the most current information on the valuation of all parcels. 

Appeal forms will be listed under the "Forms and Documents" section of the Tax Assessor's website. If residents choose to appeal their assessments, those forms can be printed, filled out and mailed to or brought personally to the tax assessor's office.

The Cherokee County School District is planning for a "" but if these numbers hold true, "that's very positive news after years of decline," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo.

"We're now re-evaluating our draft operating budget, and, with our primary mission of teaching and learning in mind, it's our goal to use this revenue increase to restore as many school calendar days as possible," he added. 

Woodstock City Manager Jeff Moon added the news is good for the city as well as for property owners.

"Anyone who is upside down on the mortgage who sees an increase in value could see positive impacts in a couple of ways, specifically if they can now sell their house," he added. 

Holly Springs City Manager Rob Logan said he was "pleased" to see the increase. 

"We haven't started working on our 2014 budget yet, but this could very likely result in a reduction in the millage rate," he added. The city operates on a calendar year for its budget.

Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood stated the news is an indication that the tide is turning towards the better in the real estate market.

Even after all the appeals are completed, Hobgood said the county could still see a slight increase. 

"While the increase will be small, every little bit will help meet the city's ever increasing needs," he added

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