Frequently Asked Questions
Government
- How is Government Funded?
- Where do my Tax Dollars Go?
- Who are the County Commissioners?
- Where can I find Contact Information?
- Where do I find regulations and codes?
- When does the Board of Commissioners Meet?
- Where does the Board of Commissioners meet?
- Can I attend the meetings?
911 and Emergency Management
- What is 911?
- Why was the number 911 selected?
- When do I call 911?
- Should I call 911 any time I need to reach the Police Department, Fire Department, or EMS?
- How do I reach these other departments for non-emergency issues?
- Can anyone who works at 911 can find out my phone number or address?
- Does this mean I can just dial 911 and say (for example), "I have a fire", and hang up?
- What do I say when I call 911?
Board of Elections
- What are acceptable forms of ID for voting?
- What if I do not have a picture ID?
- How do I know if I am registered to vote?
- How do I register to vote online?
- What do I do if I have moved?
- How can I get an absentee ballot?
- How do I qualify to run for public office?
- Where can I find candidate qualifying fees?
- Where can I get information about my elected officials?
Courts
- How was I chosen for Jury Duty?
- What happens when I report for jury duty?
- What's next?
- How long will I serve?
- What should I wear?
- What if I have an emergency?
- What types of cases will I hear?
Building, Planning and Zoning
- How do I find how my property is zoned?
- How can I determine how my property can be used?
- What are my building setbacks?
- What is a variance?
- Can I subdivide my property?
- What is the process for plat approval?
- How do I apply for a zoning district change?
Fire Protection
- Why do I have to change the batteries in my smoke detector when it hasn’t gone off?
- How often should I change the batteries in my smoke detector?
- Why does my CO (Carbon Monoxide) detector goes off for no apparent reason?
- Why can't I burn my garbage in Whitfield County?
- Can I burn yard debris and fallen tree limbs after a storm or high wind?
- How can I obtain a burn permit?
- What do I do in case of a fire in my home or business?
- How many smoke detectors do I need?
- Which Fire Station is closest to where I live?
- How many Fire Stations does Whitfield County Have?
- How can I become a firefighter?
Property Tax
- What is the meaning of ad valorem property tax?
- Who determines the value of my property for tax purposes?
- What steps do the Tax Assessors use when they appraise my property?
- What is an assessment notice and why did I receive one?
- What is the difference between sales price and market value?
- What would cause my property to increase without making any improvements?
- What are some other reasons for a property appraisal increase?
- I agree with my property valuation, why did values increase so much in one year?
- Who sets the millage rates?
- What is the assessment percentage in Georgia and who sets it?
- How is the amount of my property tax determined?
- If my property value and assessment remain the same, can my tax bill change?
- How can I have a tax increase with no mill rate change?
- When will I receive a property tax bill?
- How can I qualify for Homestead Exemption?
- Are there any other exemptions available?
- If I did not own my home for the full year, can my taxes be prorated?
- Can the interest and penalty be waived since I did not receive a tax bill?
- I disagree with my appraised value. Are there any avenues for appeal?
- How can I appeal my property value?
- What are my responsibilities, obligations, and procedures for an appeal?
- Do I have to pay my property taxes before the appeal is settled?
- If I appeal my valuation, will the resulting decision be used in future years?