ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Property tax bills in Dougherty County may go out later than usual this year because of delays at the state level.

County leaders received an update on the 2025 tax digest Tuesday. While there wasn’t an immediate vote on the millage rate, officials explained what’s behind the delay.

During the Dougherty County Commission meeting, Tax Director Shonna Josey updated commissioners on the status of the 2025 tax digest. She cited Georgia House Bill 581, a law that changed how county assessors value property and how certain exemptions must be applied.

Those changes mean county tax offices had to update their assessment methods, and the state had to update and verify new software used to process those values.

“Because of the housing bill 581 and the department of revenue saying we want this effective January 1st we had to go back and adjust all of the software to try to make everything work so we can present a digest,” Josey said.

Albany State University Economics Professor Aaron Johnson said budgeting for homeowners can get tricky during this time due to the uncertainty of how big or little the millage rate will be this year. He said it is important for residents to attend public hearings when the millage rate is advertised and ask the right questions.

“How are we getting the best bang for our buck, are they spending it in ways that can attract industry or provide better services, so that’s another thing you might be asking. Are they doing a good job as far as paving roads? Making sure we are getting the most out of our tax dollars,” Johnson said.

County leaders want this wrapped up by December 8, but they can’t vote until the millage rate is advertised and public hearings are held. No matter when the bills are sent out, residents in Dougherty County will still have 60 days to pay.

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