Dozens of Pickens County residents used the public-comment portion of the county commission meeting to protest large increases in property valuations and ask what steps they could take.

Among speakers, Matt Warren said his personal property valuation increased sharply and described the notice as a “whoa moment.” Greg Hartley said his assessed value rose by more than $50,000 despite living on a dirt road without county amenities. Several other residents said increases threatened their ability to remain in their homes.

Why it matters: Property valuations determine the tax digest used to compute property tax bills; residents said sudden increases and unevenness across parcels are causing alarm. County officials responded with a step-by-step explanation of how assessments, appeals and millage rates interact and described a new statewide homestead exemption mechanism tied to House Bill 581.

First facts: The chairperson told the public that the board of commissioners appoints the board of assessors but does not control day-to-day appraisal operations. The appraisal office mails assessment notices, residents have a 45-day appeals window to challenge values, and after that the tax commissioner prepares the digest that county and school officials use to set millage rates. Board of education millage is set by the elected school board; the county sets only its portion of the millage rate.

County explanation and exemptions: The chairman described a state law change (referred to in the meeting as House Bill 581) that creates a floating homestead exemption tied to the year-to-year increase in a homesteaded property’s assessed value for parcels of a home plus up to five acres. Officials said the exemption can substantially reduce the tax bill for qualifying homesteaded properties that saw large assessed-value jumps. The chairman said the appraisal office is auditing and assessing properties in three geographic quadrants across the county on a multi-year cycle.

What residents asked and were told: Speakers asked for precise explanations of how their individual appraisals changed; the chairman and staff advised residents to make an appointment with the assessor’s office to see the calculations, to use the 45-day appeals process if needed, and to contact elected school-board members about school millage. The chairman said the county intends to roll back its county millage rate and that the school system indicated it intends to do so as well; he said that rollbacks can reduce tax bills even when assessed values rise.

Direct quotes (from meeting): Matt Warren, a resident, said, “I just got this past week, my property taxes... look like based off the millage it’s gonna be 91% higher than last year,” and asked whether others had similar experiences. Raymond (last name not provided), who said his valuation rose 61 percent, told the meeting his tax payment was “like 1.2% more than last year” after the exemption calculation. Several speakers asked what steps to take next; the chairman directed them to the assessor’s office and to the board of education for school-millage questions.

Unresolved facts: Residents asked which exact formula or sales the appraiser used for particular parcels; county staff said those parcel-specific calculations are available only through the assessor’s office and must be reviewed with appraisers. The chairman said the final millage rates will not be set until the digest is complete and that the tax-impact comparisons depend on whether the county and school board adopt rollbacks.

Next steps for residents: Make an appointment with the assessor’s office to review parcel calculations, use the 45-day appeal window if needed, and contact elected school-board members about school-millage decisions. The board said it plans to continue working to hold the county portion of the millage low.