More than 230,000

Fulton County property owners got a "gift" from the county this

week.

The county

sent out reappraisal notices and residents will probably see an average

12 percent hike in their property's value, said chief appraiser John Cunningham.

The total value

of property in the county is now $97 billion and taxes are due Oct. 15

for residents in the unincorporated county, he added.

If residents

want to dispute the higher evaluation, Cunningham said instructions are

printed on the tax bill.

The appraiser

said residents should be prepared to bring evidence to back up their claims.

Additionally,

the Fulton County Board of Assessors has published a newsletter to help

homeowners better understand the property reassessment process.

"The Facts

on Property Revaluations" newsletter gives comprehensive information

on how property is valued and how property owners can contest that valuation.

"This

newsletter is available in all Fulton County libraries and government

service centers," said Board of Assessors Chairman Brady Barnett

Jr. "Also, citizens may call 404-730-6440 to have one mailed."

The Board of

Assessors annually determines the fair market value of all real and personal

property in the county for property tax purposes. The assessors are available

to address homeowner associations or community group. Please call 404-730-6434

to schedule.

Cunningham

said the County Commission will have to advertise the millage rate in

the next two weeks.

If the county

does not roll back the rates to compensate for the increased evaluations,

it will have to advertise a tax increase.

But the appraiser

said the good news is the county is now evaluating pr operty at

90 percent market value, which means it won't have to pay a penalty to

the state.

"Last year, the county paid more than $1 million

in penalties. We won't this year, so residents will either see more services

or a smaller budget," he said.