Gilmer County Facts: 2005 population was estimated at 28,000. Area 432 sq. mi., 52nd in size. Total public road mileage 523. Gilmer County is in the 51st State Senatorial District, the 7th State House Districts and the 10th U.S. Congressional District.
County seat: Ellijay, population 1,584. Other incorporated community: East Ellijay. The old Gilmer County Courthouse was built in 1904, but was recently torn down and rebuilt from the ground up. The current jail was built in 2000. Gilmer County is a member of the North Georgia RDC. They have county fire protection with volunteer firefighters, EMS, a recreation program, park, civic center, library, senior center, airport, and waste collection from bins. The county requires building permits, code enforcement, land use plan, and business licenses, has sign ordinance, subdivision regulations and animal control. There is a private hospital.
Regular commission meeting days are second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Commissioners serve terms of four years. Electorate chooses full-time chairman ACCG District 1.
- Downtown Ellijay
A Great place to visit, a great place to live. Ellijay offers beautiful mountain views, rivers, creeks, and plenty of wildlife.
- Gilmer Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce is located off Hwy. 515 (the Zell Miller Parkway) in East Ellijay Georgia. Drop by to visit us, and we'll tell you more about this place where sunlight dances off sparkling water; moon beams and starlight twinkle in dark skies; wildlife bounds through deep green forests; rocking chairs wait on friendly porches, while smoke curls lazily from chimneys, and crisp, juicy apples tempt you to stop and take a bite.
- The Georgia Apple Festival
The Ellijay Lions Club, the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, and the cities of Ellijay and East Ellijay invite everyone to come and enjoy the 35th year of the Georgia Apple Festival. It's held the second and third weekends of October. There are over 300 vendors with handmade, hand-crafted items, as well as many on-site demonstrations of how selected types of crafts are made. This year promises many new crafts as well as favorites from past festivals. There is a parade and antique car show each year. The parade is on the second Saturday.
- General Tax Information
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Property tax, is a large source of revenue for governments in Georgia. The basis for ad valorem taxation is the fair market value of the property, which is established January 1st of each year. The tax is levied on the assessed value of the property which, by law, is established at 40% of the fair market value. The amount of tax is determined by the tax rate (mill rate) levied by various entities (one mill is equal to $1.00 for each $1,000 of assessed value or .001).
Several distinct entities are involved in the ad valorem tax process: the County Tax Commissioner, The County Board of Tax Assessors, The County Board of Equalization, The Board of County Commissioners, The County Board of Education, The State Revenue Commissioner.
- Tax Returns
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Taxpayers are required to file at least an initial tax return for taxable property (both real and personal property) owned on January 1 of the tax year. In Gilmer County, the time for filing returns is January 1 through April 1. These returns are filed with the Tax Assessors office and forms are available in that office. The tax return is a listing of property owned by the taxpayer and the taxpayer's declaration of the value of the property.
Once the initial tax return is filed, the law provides for an automatic renewal of that return each succeeding year at the value finally determined for the preceding year. The taxpayer is required to file a new return only as additional property is acquired, improvements are made to existing property, or other changes occur. A new return, filed during the return period, may also be made by the taxpayer to declare a different value from the existing value where the taxpayer is dissatisfied with the current value placed on the property by the Board of Tax Assessors. This serves the purpose of establishing the taxpayer's appeal rights if the Board of Tax Assessors change the declared value again.
Gilmer County is located in North Georgia between Pickens County and Fannin County.