Ann Cantrell
Staff Writer

    Already half way through the fiscal year, the Tax Assessors office is in need of more funding for operating expenses.
    Chuck Anglin, who was officially approved by the Board of Assessors at their monthly meeting last Monday as Chief Appraiser, laid out a formalized budget for the rest of the year. 
    In July 2007, $15,000 was budgeted for various legal fees.  These legal fees are used for the legal opinion of Christian Henry, County Attorney, in resolving out of court cases between the Board of Assessors and the citizen involved in the case.
    “We’ve used up 80 percent and we’re barely through the year,” said Anglin.
    There are also six pending cases from 2007 that will further use up this funding.
    The Board approved $17,500 for legal fees as budgeted by Anglin.  It also approved $15,000 for different auditing services.
    The Board is about $200 in the negative for travel expenses because not enough funding was estimated for this department in July 2007. 
    Board members are required to travel around Georgia for different courses mandated by law.  At this month’s meeting, $3,000 was budgeted for travel.
    “If we have to go to class in Atlanta or Augusta, that covers gas or mileage,” said Anglin.
    When the budget is determined of the new fiscal year this July, funds will have to be taken from certain areas and redistributed into areas such as travel expenses. 
    Funding for advertising and medical expenses for employees are also in the negative.
    The Board also plans to put $149 towards an Aircraft Blue Book CD price guide.  Currently there is no way to determine the value of aircraft in the county and Anglin said this price guide is needed for evaluation.
    The Board of Assessors handled other personal cases at their regular meeting on a case by case basis.  Due to the 70 new cases that need to be handled, starting in March the Board will begin meeting bi-monthly.
    John Milliken was unanimously approved as vice chairman at the meeting.