The Grand Jury for the October 2025 Term of the Superior Court of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, is seeking applicants for positions on the Board of Tax Equalization. The board is responsible for hearing appeals related to property values and exemptions in Athens-Clarke County.
There are five positions open: one alternate member to fill an unexpired term ending December 31, 2027, and one regular member along with three alternate members for terms running from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
The Board of Tax Equalization conducts hearings similar to a courtroom jury. It sets hearing dates and times, listens to evidence from both taxpayers and the Tax Assessors Office, and makes independent decisions regarding property value or exemption disputes. According to the press release: “After hearing evidence from both the taxpayer and the appraisal staff, the Board of Tax Equalization renders a decision on the value of the property/exemption.”
Newly appointed members or alternates must complete at least 40 hours of training in appraisal and equalization processes within their first year. After each term, members are required to complete at least eight hours of continuing education annually in these procedures. Members who do not meet these requirements will be ineligible to serve on the board.
Eligibility criteria include being a citizen of Athens-Clarke County who owns real property and has graduated from high school. Applications can be submitted online or by mail. As stated in the announcement: “Interested citizens are encouraged to apply.” Printable and online applications are available at www.accgov.com/clerkofcourt or at www.athensclarkeclerkofcourt.com/legalforms.asp.
Applications should be submitted online or sent to Appeal Administrator Elisa Zarate at Clerk of Superior Court, Athens-Clarke County, by November 30, 2025. The process follows state code sections OCGA 15-12-81(b) and OCGA 48-5-311.
