FAQs

Purchasing

  • In addition to being able to comply with the specific requirements of the bid, the firm must be able to also provide:

    • A copy of your Business License from City/County where your business resides.
    • A copy of E-Verify documentation
    • Compliance with all federal, state and local laws.

Search Tips and Tricks

  • Yes.  The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.

  • No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

    In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.

  • Yes.   You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-).   In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.

Senior Center

  • Yes, we encourage residents to visit once or twice to better understand our program and meet other residents.

  • Come visit once or twice and if you are interested we will assist you in completing the necessary paperwork.

  • Families are encouraged to communicate with the center of any extended illness. We will make our best effort to provide a spot for you when you are well.

  • The Senior Life Center has a handbook with all the services and rules.

Senior Wellness

  • Approximately 17 percent, or 36 million, of American adults say that they have some degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss is a common condition in older adults. Roughly one-third of Americans 65 to 74 years of age and 47 percent of those 75 and older have hearing loss.

  • All too often, we forget that nearly three-fourths of our body is water. Thus, we need to keep a healthy amount of fresh fluids flowing in and out of our bodies. Water flushes out wastes, regulates our body temperature, carries nutrients throughout the bloodstream to vital organs, and supports chemical balances. Staying well-hydrated can boost energy and keep the skin moist, which is especially helpful for dry, aging skin. Signs of dehydration include dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps and general feelings of weakness.

Superior Court

  • Superior Court is responsible for handling cases involving serious crimes (felonies), civil disputes, real estate matters and family and domestic relations issues.

    State Court handles civil law actions not otherwise within the jurisdiction of Superior Court, dispossessions, misdemeanors, and certain traffic offenses.

    Magistrate Court (Civil Division) hears cases involving civil claims of $15,000 or less.

    Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction in probate of wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians, involuntary hospitalizations, issuance of pistol licenses and marriage licenses.

Tax Assessment and Appeals

  • Appeals to a Hearing Officer are limited to non-homestead exemption properties, the value of which is in excess of $1 million. There is no cost to you for filing to a Hearing Officer unless you hire an agent to represent you.

    The taxpayer must state the grounds for appeal which are limited to value or uniformity. Hearing Officers must be either state-certified general real property appraisers or state-certified residential real property appraisers, and be approved by the GA Real Estate Commission and the GA Real Estate Appraisers Board. Hearing Officers must attend required training at his/her expense.

    The Board of Tax Assessors (BTA) has up to 90 days to review the appeal and notify the taxpayer of its decision. The taxpayer has 30 days to notify the BTA if he/she is not satisfied with its decision. Upon receipt of such notification, the BTA has 30 days to send the appeal to the Clerk of Superior Court for scheduling a hearing. If the Clerk cannot find a Hearing Officer, the appeal shall be moved to the Board of Equalization.

    At the conclusion of the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall notify both parties of the decision verbally and shall send the decision in writing. Either party may appeal to Superior Court within 30 days of this decision..

  • Within 10 days of receiving your appeal to Binding Arbitration, the Board of Tax Assessors will send an acknowledgment to you stating your requirement to provide us, at your expense, a certified appraisal of your property prepared by a qualified appraiser. Also, you will be required to submit a filing fee. You will have 45 days to submit your certified appraisal and your filing fee. Upon receipt, the Board of Tax Assessors must either accept or reject your appraisal. If we accept your appraisal this will become the final value, the appeal will be resolved, and we will return your filing fee. If we do not accept your appraisal, within 45 days we must certify your appeal to the Clerk of Superior Court with your filing fee. If we do not act within 45 days, your certified appraisal shall become the final value.

    Within 15 days of filing the appeal with the Clerk of Superior Court, the Chief Judge shall issue an order authorizing the arbitration. Within 30 days of his/her appointment, the arbitrator will schedule the time and location of the hearing.

  • When you receive the Annual Assessment Notice from our office in May, you will have 45 days to appeal if you do not agree with the Current Year Value displayed. You may simply write a letter (or download an appeal form) telling us that you are appealing, and if possible, explain why you disagree with our value.

    Please include the following information in your letter of appeal:

    • Parcel Identification Number as found on the Annual Notice of Assessment
    • Property Address
    • Your daytime phone number
    • Your intention to appeal to either: Board of Equalization, Hearing Officer, or Arbitration
      (The description of each of the aforementioned is provided in the other Tax Assessment and Appeals FAQs)
    • Any supporting documentation you may have as to why you disagree with our value. Your letter of appeal must be hand-delivered or postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by the Appeal Deadline date shown on the Notice to ensure acceptance as a timely appeal. Late appeals will not be processed. We do not accept emailed appeals. Faxed appeals must be followed up by an original of the fax or the appeal is not considered valid.

    Temporary Value: Georgia Law provides that when a property is under appeal it is not billed at the current year's value, but at a temporary value until the appeal is settled. This temporary value is determined by taking the lesser of either last year's value OR 85% of our current year's original Notice value. If you file an appeal, your property tax bill will reflect the temporary value as described above. Once your appeal is final and the value of your property has been established, this temporary value will be removed and you will automatically be issued either a refund or an additional bill, whichever the case may be, with interest if applicable.

  • The Board of Equalization is a three-member panel made up of Banks County property owners. Each board member has attended at least 40 hours of training in property tax laws and appraisal. The Board will have reviewed your letter of appeal, and will listen to your presentation, and they will listen to the county appraiser. The Board will then render an independent decision as to the value of the property, and you will be notified of this decision in writing. Either party may appeal to Superior Court within 30 days of the BOE decision. Fees will be required if you appeal to Superior Court.

Transit

  • Banks County Transit operates on an advanced reservation basis. To schedule a trip call 706-677-1835 between 8 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday at least One week before your requested trip.

  • Transportation is available throughout Banks County and including Homer, Lula, Commerce, Cornelia, Demorest, Athens, Gainesville, and Jefferson.

Voter Registration

  • You will be required to present photo identification if you cast your vote in person at your polling place.  There are 6 acceptable forms of photo identification that apply to in-person voting by absentee, advance voting or at the polling place on Election Day. These include:

    • Valid Georgia driver’s license, even if expired
    • Valid photo ID card issued by any entity of the state of Georgia, any other state, or the U.S., including one issued by the Department of Driver Services or your county registrar’s office
    • Valid U.S. Passport
    • Valid employee photo ID  from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state.
    • Valid U.S. Military ID card with Photo
    • Valid Tribal ID with photo

    If the voter does not have a Georgia driver’s license, or other qualified ID, they can obtain either a free Georgia Identification Card from the Department of Driver Services or a free Georgia Voter Identification Card at the County registrar’s office.

    In order to get a free Georgia Voter Identification Card, a voter will need to provide the following:

    • A photo identity document, or a non-photo identity document showing the voter’s full legal name and date of birth; and
    • Documentation showing voter’s date of birth; and
    • Evidence that voter is registered to vote in Georgia; and
    • Documentation showing voter’s name and address of principal residence.

    The precinct card sent to you to acknowledge your voter registration is not acceptable identification.

  • 1.  To request an absentee by mail ballot, voters are required to complete the NEW absentee by mail ballot application that will be provided by the state—all request MUST be on the state form. 

    2.  When applying for an absentee by mail ballot, voters MUST include ALL of the following information:

              a. Voter Name as Registered

              b.  Date of Birth

              c.  Address as Registered

              d. Address voter wishes ballot to be mailed, if different from Registered Address

              e.  GA Driver’s License / GA ID Card Number

              f.  Identity of the election the voter is requesting a ballot for

              g.  Name & relationship of anyone requesting the ballot, if requested by anyone other than voter

    3. The absentee ballot application must contain a pen & ink signature from the voter requesting the ballot or authorized family member.

    4. Voters may request a ballot no earlier than 78 days prior to an election and no later than 11 days prior to an election.

  • A voter who requests an absentee ballot by mail is not required to provide a reason why he/she is voting absentee. 

    Returning a Ballot

     1. Voter MUST sign the oath by writing his or her usual signature or mark with pen and ink

    2. The voter MUST provide the birth date on the oath envelope

    3.  The voter MUST provide a GA Driver’s license or GA ID card number, or the last four digits of the social. If voter does not have one of the numbers to provide, the voter must provide a copy of one of the acceptable HAVA IDs with the ballot

    4.  Only the voter, or family member authorized by law, may return the absentee ballot to the registrar’s office

  • When you arrive at your polling place, you will show proper identification to the poll officials who will verify that you are a registered voter in that precinct by checking the voters list for that precinct. If your name is found on the list, you will be issued a voter access card and admitted into a voting booth to cast your vote.

    You will then cast your ballot using an electronic voting unit.  Instructions on how to operate the electronic voting unit are posted at each polling place and you may ask a poll official for assistance.

  • All Election Day Voting is held at the Banks County Recreation Department, 607 Thompson Street, in Homer. Go to your polling place between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the day of the election. However, any voter who is waiting in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

  • All lection day is held at the Banks County Recreation Department, 607 Thompson Street in Homer. The location of your polling place is located on your precinct card. If you have misplaced your card or do not know where your precinct is located, contact the voter registration office or visit the Secretary of State's poll locater.

Water

  • Between 8:00AM and 5:00PM, please contact the Public Utilities Department Office at (706) 677-2261.

    After hours, on weekends and holidays, water emergencies can be reported by calling (706) 677-1234.

  • For new water service you will need to apply at the Water Department Billing Office, located at the Banks County Courthouse Annex, 150 Hudson Ridge, Suite 5, Homer, GA 30547. There is a $300.00 deposit for all new water service accounts and an additional $15.00 turn on fee.  For further information, please contact the Public Utilities Customer Service Office at (706) 677-2261.

    PLEASE NOTE NEW SERVICE APPLICANTS:  We "ONLY" accept the following forms of payment for first time customers; Cash, Check or Money Order until you're setup in our billing system.  After you're assigned an account number you may pay by check card or credit card in person or online.   

     

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