HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — When you hear the value of something increases you typically get excited like when your credit score rises or your salary increases. The boost in property value doesn't always bring that good feeling. That's what's currently happening across Houston County.
Peter Dammann has lived in Houston County for about 18 years.
"It's gotten crazy in the last couple of years," he said.
He says the craziness comes from an increase in homes and families.
"It's like a zoo. They keep building and building," Dammann said.
He says that's causing more cars on the road.
"There's just so much traffic, especially when the base gets out and you just do not want to be on the road," he shared.
Being on your own property isn't all that glamorous either for some as property values continue to increase throughout the county.
"Last year it went up, the year before that it went up. That's the nature of the beast with the economy these days," he said.
It's a monster that some worry could impact their pockets like other household expenses.
"I pay on an average more than $850 more a month," he said.
Dammann said that the increase happened within the last two to four years. He said it includes his property tax, car insurance and home owners insurance.
"Who does that hurt the most? Lower-income people," he said.
The property value plays a part in what you pay in property tax. Local governments then use that to budget for their infrastructure and public safety agencies.
"If we have those services and we can keep people safe, I don't mind paying a little more," he said.
However, families won't really know how it impacts their pockets until each city and county establishes their budgets, so Dammann will be waiting on how much "crazier" it may get.
"I'm just going to see how it goes," he said.
Houston County has already announced that they hope to roll back their millage rate, this would mean there are lower chances of seeing an increase in property tax for those who live within the county limits.
If you'd like to make an appeal, the tax assessor's office shared the deadline to submit an appeal is July 1st. You can go in person to the Board of Tax Assessors office located at 201 Perry Parkway in Perry. you will need to put something in writing, or you can mail in an appeal.
You'll have the opportunity to share your thoughts on the county and city budgets starting next week.
In Warner Robins you can hear about the budget Monday at 4:00 p.m. in the city hall building on Watson Boulevard.
If you live in the county limits, your first budget hearing is Tuesday. It will be at 9:00 a.m. in the Perry Courthouse on Perry Parkway.