Thousands of tax assessment notices will arrive in mail boxes in the next two weeks - attesting to the two years of work done by the Upson County Tax Assessors office to correct digest errors and update property appraisals.

Many of the assessment notices, particularly involving agricultural and undeveloped land, will show increases in values. However, that doesn't necessarily mean property owners will pay more taxes.

"The tax rate is driven by the budget," said Ted McKissick, chairman of the Upson County Board of Tax Assessors. McKissick said the goal of the re-evaluation is to make certain that properties are assessed at or near fair market value.

The amount of tax to be collected is determined by the Upson County Commission, Thomaston City Council and Thomaston-Upson Board of Education.

The comprehensive property tax re-evaluation is aimed at correcting errors and achieving fairness in the property tax digest.

Terry Ross, chief appraiser of the assessors office, said his office has been working to record accurate values for all Upson County properties, though he expects there will be some problems discovered once the assessment notices are mailed next week. He said questions about values from property owners will be addressed.

Some of the changes in the digest, Ross said, will be dramatic. Land costs in the county have risen substantially since the last comprehensive review of agricultural property was conducted - more than a decade ago.

Property owners have 45 days to appeal the assessment notice.

-More in Friday's Times