Chattooga County residents are paying GMASS $158,328 a year, payments are made on a monthly schedule in the amount of $13,194. That’s your taxpayer money going to a private outsourced company to assess local property, and the company just wrapped up doing it again.
The Tax Assessor’s Office runs on an annual budget of $586,987, budgeted for six employees, though it currently has four. Of that total, $158,328, more than a quarter of the entire office budget, goes straight to GMASS.
An open records request was filed with Chattooga County and the Board of Assessors, asking who’s actually on the board, what the board’s responsibilities are, and for copies of the current contract with GMASS.
The Board of Assessors has already voted to approve a new contract with GMASS for 2028 through 2030, worth $495,000. That new contract, while approved by the board, has not yet been signed.
“A contract for 2028, 2029, 2030 that was approved by the Board of Assessors. The contract was forwarded for the county commissioner and the county attorney for review per county policy. No GMASS contract has been signed for 2028, 2029, and 2030,” said Nancy Edgeman, Chief Appraiser.
The qPublic site has been updated. Property owners who feel their assessment was incorrect have until September 14, 2026, to file an appeal. Local realtor and Summerville City Councilwoman Simone Adams is offering help to residents who are unsure of the valuation part of the appeal process. She encourages anyone to reach out to her if they need help.
Here is the appeal form: https://www.qpublic.net/ga/dor/docs/PT-311A_Appeal_of_Assessment_Form.pdf
Find the exact questions from the Open Records Request and the responses below.
