Tift Property Revaluations Cause Confusion

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Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

TIFT PROPERTY REVALUATIONS SPARK ANGER AND CONFUSION

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County property owners have received updated property-value assessments during the past week, and it's causing some confusion and anger as most residents have seen their property values increase, in some cases dramatically.

However, as the assessment notices clearly state, "This is not a tax bill." As Tift County Chief Tax Appraiser Hayward Becton has previously explained, the county, city, and school system have the option of rolling back their millage rates to offset inflationary growth, thereby balancing out an increase in property taxes.

An individual's property tax will be determined after the millage rates have been set. The estimated property taxes on the assessment notices are based upon last year's millage rates. While it's anticipated there will be a rollback to help offset "inflationary" growth, "real growth" may not rolled back – such as assessments based on newer physical improvements to property.

The City of Tifton has scheduled a town hall meeting for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at the city's municipal courtroom downtown on U.S. Highway 82 near the police department. Representatives from the tax assessor's office will be present to discuss the property revaluation and answer questions.

The revaluation was needed because the state requires counties to ensure that properties are valued uniformly and at fair market value. Property owners pay county taxes on 40% of the value of their property, and sales ratios are audited by the Georgia Department of Audits & Accounts.

Every county is to maintain a sales ratio between 36% and 44%. When a county’s ratio falls below 36% or increases above 44% that county must get its ratio back within the acceptable range, which usually results in a revaluation.

As property values have increased through the years, Tift County's ratios have been creeping lower to 36% and below. The state determined that Tift's last property revaluation was no longer reflective of current fair market values, and the county needed to get property appraisals closer to their current values. The last full-county reappraisal was done in 2003.

During the past year, every one of 19,250 property parcels in Tift County was revaluated. The county contracted with Georgia Mass Appraisal Solutions & Services, which had 13 appraisers physically visiting every property in the county.

GBI photo

Drugs, cash, and firearms seized in Adel drug trafficking arrests.

TWO ARRESTED IN ADEL DRUG TRAFFICKING

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Two men have been arrested on drug trafficking and firearms charges following a multi-agency investigation in Adel, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Shyiem Marquon Banks, 28, and Roderick Dion Collins, 36, were arrested June 28 by the GBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Hahira Police Department, and Georgia State Patrol.

A search warrant executed at Collins' and Banks' home led to the seizure of 210 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 3.2 pounds of suspected marijuana, 13 grams of suspected alpha-PVP (Flakka/bath salts), more than 90 suspected oxycodone tablets, and two firearms.

Banks is charged with three counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Collins is charged with two counts of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Both men were taken to the Cook County Jail.

The Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, covering a 42-county area in Southwest Georgia, said the recent investigation was aimed at the current street-level drug distribution network in Adel and Cook County.

Anyone with information related to drug activity is asked to call the drug enforcement office at 229-420-1254. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online here at GBI Submit Tips Online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

TOURISM ASSOCIATION ACCEPTING PROPOSALS TO PROMOTE LOCAL EVENTS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association is accepting grant proposals under the Community Partners Program to financially assist the promotion of projects, events, and conferences that bring more visitors to Tifton and Tift County.

Proposals are limited to two typed pages with a maximum of five pages of supporting materials.

During the past 30 years, the Tourism Association has granted more than $1 million in the partnership program.

“Among the best ways to use tourism funds and increase visitors to Tifton is to assist the volunteers who have successful events and help them expand,” said Frank Sayles Jr., tourism board chairman. "Our Community Partners Program aids in the promotion of these local events."

Angela Elder, assistant tourism coordinator, said the grant program "has been very successful for us for so many years. We’ve developed guidelines to help evaluate proposals based on economic impact, investment by the sponsoring organization, and multi-day events that bring overnight visitors.”

Sayles and Elder stressed that the funds must be used to promote Tifton and an event through marketing and advertising.

Additional grant proposal guidelines include listing the anticipated attendance of an event or conference, as well as expected hotel room nights to be used. The marketing and advertising plan must also be clearly stated in the proposal. Following the event, documentation must be submitted detailing how the tourism funds were used.

Deadline for proposals is noon Friday, July 26. Requests for funds will not be considered throughout the year, unless a new event is organized after the deadline.

Proposals may be mailed to the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association, P.O. Box 273, Tifton, GA 31793, hand delivered to the Spearman Agency at 148 Ridge Ave. S., or emailed to spearmanagency@friendlycity.net

Questions and proposals should be directed to Angela Elder at 229-382-8700.

TIFT EDUCATION FOUNDATION HONORS ITS 'LONGEST SERVING PRESIDENT'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence (TCFEE) recently recognized Nathan Johnson as the nonprofit's “Longest Serving President.”

Johnson served an extra term during the transition of foundation staff. Last year, Laura Cutts took over the reins of executive director as longtime Director Mike Brumby retired, along with Executive Secretary Moppy Brumby.

In the photo is incoming TCFEE President Ron Branch, at left, standing with Johnson. Branch formally took over as foundation president on July 1.

TIFT COUNTY SCHOOLS OPEN AUG. 2; BLUE DEVILS FOOTBALL TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

According to the calendar, summer only recently began, but Tift County Schools are readying to open their doors to students on Aug. 2. And with the new school year comes a new Tift County High Blue Devils football season under new coach Jeff Littleton.

The Blue Devils will begin with an unofficial scrimmage Aug. 9 in Brodie Field against Brooks County. Then the season officially begins Aug. 16 at Griffin. The first home game will be Tift County's homecoming Aug. 23 vs. Gadsden County, Fla.

A total of five regular-season home games are scheduled this season, and tickets are now on sale. Reserved-seat tickets for all home games are now available for $65 through July 18. Then, reserved tickets will cost $80 between July 22-Aug. 2.

Reserved tickets may be purchased at Tift County High School between 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. daily this week through Thursday, and July 15-18, July 22-25, and July 29-Aug. 2. Reserved tickets will also will be available for purchase during the same hours at Brodie Field between July 30-Aug. 1.

Reserved tickets for individual games are $20 each. Pre-sale general-admission individual game tickets are $8 each; general admission will be $10 once gates open on game days.

Adults and students may also buy All-Sports Passes to any Tift middle school and high school athletic event this coming school year. For adults, an All-Sports Pass for general admission is $150; if the buyer wants an All-Sports Pass that includes reserved football tickets, the price is $170.

Students may purchase general admission All-Sports Passes for $100, and $165 if the passes include reserved football tickets.

GEORGIA COUNCIL ON AGING NAMES

PENNY HOUSTON LEGISLATOR OF YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Retiring state Rep. Penny Houston, R-Nashville, was recently named the 2024 Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Council on Aging’s Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly (CO-AGE).

Houston will be presented with the award July 18 at CO-AGE’s annual meeting at the Methodist Children’s Home in Macon. The award recognizes a legislator who shows outstanding commitment to Georgia’s seniors throughout the legislative session.

“I am deeply honored to receive the 2024 Legislator of the Year award from the Georgia Council on Aging,” Houston said. “Throughout my tenure in the Legislature, I have steadfastly committed myself to safeguarding Georgia’s children and elderly, ensuring they receive the necessary care, services and support to sustain healthy and fulfilling lives.

"This recognition is not just a reflection of my achievements but a testament to the collective efforts of many dedicated individuals across our state. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to CO-AGE for their unwavering support and dedication to this vital cause, which far exceeds my own contributions. I am continually inspired by the tireless work of advocates and caregivers who demonstrate daily their commitment to improving the quality of life for our seniors and children," Houston said.

"While my time in the Legislature will soon come to an end, I remain dedicated to advancing a Georgia where every person, regardless of age, can thrive.”

Debra Stokes, executive director of the Georgia Council on Aging, called Houston a “relentless advocate for children and the elderly" who has "made it her mission to ensure that the citizens of Georgia receive the services and support they need to thrive at all stages of life.”

Houston serves on the Board of Directors of the Methodist Children’s Home in Macon. Earlier this year she announced that this year's legislative session was her last as she is not seeking re-election after 26 years in office.

'RIVER OF LIFE' RETURNS TO TIFTON

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

When the first Tifton version of "River of Life" (ROL) ended last July, Youth Director Derek Harrison of Tifton First United Methodist Church almost immediately began preparing for ROL in 2024.

On Wednesday, those preparations come to fruition as “Blueprint,” the theme for ROL 2024, begins on Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College's campus.

River of Life is a community-wide missions project involving nearly 200 students and adult volunteers who will be in Tifton assisting local homeowners, businesses, and organizations with property improvement tasks and other special projects.

Last year, youth groups from eight churches participated in River of Life. This year, 12 churches will be represented as several homes will receive a quick make-over during the next few days.

Harrison said that last year’s River of Life theme, “Catalyst,” kicked off the ROL mission. The goal for this year’s “Blueprint” theme is that people will be led back into their communities to assist and improve.

“The reason for “Catalyst” last year was that we were bringing something new to Tifton,” Harrison said. “Now we are building on that, and for that you need a blueprint. We know that a significant life is built on Christ. We can make our own choices, but we need to be aware that God is leading our choices.”

In addition to working with several homeowners in painting and construction projects, youth groups will also be assisting with improvement projects at Brother Charlie's Mission and with the Peanut Butter & Jesus food mission. There are also plans to deliver gifts to residents at Maple Court and Cypress Pond senior living centers.

“People will be coming to Tifton from all around the state to support and love upon our community,” Harrison said.

The mission work during the day is only part of the nearly week-long activities. Each night through Saturday the youth and adult volunteers will gather for worship and celebration. The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Smith, senior pastor at Pittman Park Methodist Church in Statesboro, will serve as evangelical leader during the week.

Also on hand will be Internet sensation Shama Mrema, who will serve as master of ceremonies. Mrema is an actor, comedian, and part-time musician who has risen to online fame since the release of his viral song, "Veggie Tales Remix," in 2018. Since then, Mrema has gained more than 350,000 followers.

ABAC, which is partnering with Tifton First United Methodist, is providing housing and breakfast for the volunteers. Local restaurant Chick-fil-A will be serving lunches, and First United Methodist volunteers will serve dinner.

River of Life in Georgia was established in 1990, and churches around the state have conducted many events since its beginning. Tifton youth have participated in River of Life projects in Savannah during past years.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Mollie," a sweet feline, is hanging out at the shelter, enjoying some time away from her kennel and dreaming of her forever home. Come visit her and other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

HOWARD JOHNSON'S OPENS IN TIFTON

~ JULY 9, 1961

The Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant opened July 9, 1961, in Tifton. The $750,000 complex included 60 motel rooms, said principal owner Richard Winkler.