Towns County contracts vendor for tax assessment notices

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, along with Towns County Chief Tax Appraiser Sonya Young, held a special-called meeting Friday, April 12, to announce a contract with Harris Computer Systems. The company assumed responsibility for notifying Towns County property owners of current appraisal values. Young estimated that the cost of the contracted service will save taxpayers in excess of $1.200.

The amount of assessments was calculated at roughly 14,500 parcels. Harris Computer Systems quoted a figure of .52 cents per parcel. The selected company currently supplies electronic software for county business, including government payroll.  The mailing service fee will include the envelopes, paper, glue, drums, ink, postage, and staff associated with the labor-intense process. Young explained that in comparison to surrounding counties, Towns was the lone county that continued mailing the evaluations in-house.

Commissioner Bradshaw noted that the decision to outsource the project was reached based on the ability to conserve taxpayers’ dollars without compromising service. Bradshaw praised Young for the effort extended in researching the matter. In past years, the total cost of the in-house process typically amounted to $12,755, occupying 40 hours from a staff of four.

Towns County property owners will be permitted 45 days from the date on the notice to appeal the tax appraisal. Distribution of the appraisals is expected to commence next week.