Georgia committee hears proposal to let counties value property at purchase price

Representative Washburn told an Ablorem subcommittee that House Resolution 250 would amend the Georgia Constitution to permit — but not require — a county or consolidated government to adopt an alternative appraisal system in which a propertys purchase price becomes its assessed value.

Washburn said the change would be elective for local governments, could be placed on local referenda at a countys choice, and would allow counties to revert to the prior system after five years if the option proved unsatisfactory. He described the approach as a way to reduce appeals and administrative costs by using observable market transactions as the assessment basis.

The resolution would apply to all parcels in an adopting county, Washburn said, and the purchase price recorded on or before the January 1 immediately following a sale would set the assessed value until the property next sold. Reassessment would be permitted if a property received what the bill drafters consider a "substantial improvement," a trigger the bill identifies as $50,000.

Opponents warned of enforcement and fairness problems. James Stokes, chief appraiser in Paulton County and legislative director for the Georgia Association of Assessing Officials, testified that the draft lacks protections if property is destroyed or declines sharply in value. "There's no concessions in the bill for a decline in value," Stokes said, adding that many transfers in Georgia are not advertised on the open market and that the measure provides limited means to verify sale prices or deter self-dealing.

Nathan Corbett, speaking for ACCG, said his group opposes the resolution for reasons similar to those raised by assessors, noting practical implementation concerns for counties.

Supporters urged giving local governments the choice. Les Snyder (transcript also used the variant "Les Schneider") said a predictable, market-based assessment would reduce taxpayer frustration: "A piece of property is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it," he said, arguing the option would increase digest growth and transparency if counties adopt it voluntarily.

Representative Washburn closed by reiterating that the resolution is optional and intended to simplify appeals and make property-tax outcomes more predictable for homeowners and businesses. The subcommittee heard testimony and said Washburn would receive notice for a follow-up meeting.

What happens next: No formal vote on the resolution was recorded in this hearing; the author indicated the measure will return for further consideration and that materials and questions will remain part of the record.