Misleading Mail Targets Georgians, Charging Fees for Free Services

The Tax Assessors and Commissioners' offices are warning residents about mail that looks like official government documents. These solicitations charge fees for services that are actually free.


Columbus, GA-June 27, 2025- Suzanne Widenhouse, Chief Appraiser, and David Britt, Muscogee County Tax Commissioner, are warning citizens about mail that has been showing up throughout Georgia. The third-party solicitations look like government documents and charge fees for services that are free to the public.


“Our office does not charge fees for filing homestead applications or claiming excess funds from tax sales.” said David Britt. “There are many third-party asset recovery companies charging service fees to citizens. They are not affiliated with my office. If you receive a letter, contact my office to verify its validity.”


The Tax Assessors office also does not charge for filing appeals. “We have three different ways for taxpayers to file appeals with the Tax Assessors office; they can file online, via the mail or coming to the office in person.” Said Suzanne Widenhouse. “We do not charge any fees for filing an appeal, if you have any questions regarding your value, your notice of assessment or the appeal process, please reach out to the Tax Assessors office, staff are ready and willing to assist.”


The deadline to file appeals is close of business July 3, 2025. This deadline includes filing for the homestead exemption for those who missed the prior deadline of April 1, 2025. If you owned and occupied your home by January 1,2025 and had not previously filed for homestead you may be eligible. Please visit www.columbusga/org/taxassessors for more information or in person at 3111 Citizens Way, Columbus, GA 31906


The Tax Assessors office is responsible for the appraisal of all taxable property, real and personal, that the county Board of Assessors is required to assess. The Tax Commissioner’s Office is responsible for collecting real and personal property taxes.


For More Information, Contact:


Board of Tax Assessors Muscogee County Tax Commissioner’s Office CCGBOA@columbusga.org TaxCommissioner@columbusga.org

706-653-4398 706-653-4211

Columbus Named One of the Top 20 Best-Run Cities in America by Wallethub

[Columbus, Georgia, June 23, 2025] – The City of Columbus has been recognized as one of the Top 20 BestRun Cities in America in a recent 2024 study by WalletHub, a national financial and data analysis platform.
The city ranked #20 overall, standing out among 148 of the nation’s most populated cities for its effective use
of taxpayer dollars and strong service delivery.

Each year, WalletHub evaluates how well city governments manage public funds by comparing the quality of
services residents receive with the city’s total budget per capita. This comprehensive analysis measures 36
key performance indicators across six essential categories:
• Financial Stability
• Education
• Health
• Safety
• Economy
• Infrastructure & Pollution

Columbus achieved one of the best cost-to-quality ratios in the country, delivering high-impact services across
public safety, education, and economic development, while maintaining sound fiscal management. The ranking
underscores the city’s commitment to transparent governance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key Highlights from the Report:
• Columbus ranks #20 overall out of 148 cities for overall city performance and budget management.
• The city stands out in Safety and Financial Stability, performing better than many larger metropolitan
areas.
• Columbus also scored highly in Infrastructure & Pollution, showing its investments in roads,
facilities, and sustainable practices are paying off.

Columbus joins a short list of cities that WalletHub identified as models for efficient governance. Others in the
top 20 include Nampa, ID, Boise, ID, Durham, NC, and Lexington, KY.

BOARD OF ASSESSORS WEEKLY MEETINGS
[Columbus, Georgia, June 23, 2025] – The Board of Assessors has announced a change to the weekly meeting
schedule. Beginning August 6, 2025, Board meetings will take place on Wednesday morning, 9 AM. The
location of the meetings is unchanged, they will continue to take place in the Tax Assessors’ boardroom, located
on the 2nd floor of the Citizens Service Center, 3111 Citizens Way, Columbus, GA 31906.

Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Staff are available to assist taxpayers in answering questions
and may be reached by calling 706-653-4398 or emailing ccgboa@columbusga.org. Requests to be placed on
the agenda are available in the office or online at www.columbusga.org/taxassessors

For More Information, Contact:
Board of Tax Assessors
CCGBOA@columbusga.org
706-653-4398

View the Fourth of July Holiday Schedule »

City of Columbus Honored with Two National Achievement Awards for Strategic Innovation and Impact

[Columbus, Georgia, June 20, 2025] – The City of Columbus has earned two prestigious 2025 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), a testament to the city’s visionary leadership and its commitment to bold, results-driven strategies that uplift communities.

Now in its 54th year, NACo’s Achievement Awards spotlight innovative and effective county government programs across 18 diverse categories—from economic development to civic engagement. Each submission is judged on its own merits, with an emphasis on creativity, measurable impact, and replicability.

These national honors recognize the groundbreaking Shared Kitchen Project, in collaborative partnership with The Food Mill, Inc., which serves not only as a food access initiative but also as a workforce development and entrepreneurship incubator for underserved residents; and the highly impactful Small Business Relief Grant Program, which was rapidly deployed with a focus on equity and long-term stabilization—reflecting a clear strategy to bridge emergency relief with sustainable recovery, delivering over $9 million in emergency funding to stabilize and sustain local small businesses and nonprofits during critical times.

“These initiatives reflect more than just effective programming—they represent the city’s broader strategy to advance equity, build local capacity, and strengthen economic resilience,” said Robert Scott, Director of the Community Reinvestment Department. “I am proud to lead a team that is not only responsive to our city’s needs but also intentional in designing long-term, systems-level solutions.”

“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACo President James Gore. “This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”

The City of Columbus will be formally recognized during NACo’s Annual Conference and Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2025.

For More Information, Contact: Robert Scott, Community Reinvestment Director Scott.Robert@columbusga.org 706-653-4613

Conference Aims to Fill the GAPS in Emergency Preparedness  Across the Chattahoochee Valley
[Columbus, Georgia, June 17, 2025] – Is your community ready for the unexpected? The Chattahoochee
Valley will take a bold step toward regional resilience with the 2025 Disaster Resilience Across the
Chattahoochee Valley Conference, set for July 15–16, 2025, at the Columbus Convention and Trade
Center, located at 801 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA.

With a focus on identifying and closing GAPS in key infrastructure services before, during, and after a disaster,
this essential two-day event will bring together experts and leaders from across the Southeast. Attendees will
explore strategies to safeguard communities from power outages, water shortages, and utility failures, as well as
prepare for manmade threats such as cybersecurity breaches and acts of terrorism.

Topics include:
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordination
• Incident Command and Mass Casualty Management
• Mutual Aid Agreements and Debris Management
• Energy Microgrids and Communication Systems
• Water Resource Management
• Threat Preparedness: Cybersecurity, Drones, Active Shooter Events, and More

The conference is tailored for local, state, and federal government officials and staff; school administrators;
emergency management teams; first responders; law enforcement; utilities providers; and public safety and
community partners.
Registration is $150 and is open until July 3, 2025. Lodging blocks are available at special conference rates—
early booking is strongly encouraged as space is limited.

For more information and to register, scan the QR code on the event flyer or visit
https://outreachregistration.uga.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load&entityId=3157
8654

For More Information, Contact:
Chance D. Corbett, CEM®
Director
Columbus-Muscogee County, GA
Emergency Management &
Homeland Security
O: 706-225-4072
Email: corbett.chance@columbusga.org

Pine Grove Landfill will be closed on Friday, July 5, 2025 and Saturday July 5, 2025.

We will open on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in place of Saturday, July 5.

Read more »

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE Street Rehabilitation – Broadway from 4th to 5th Street & 8th Street Improvements from Front Avenue to Veterans Parkway

[Columbus, Georgia, June 6, 2025] – The Columbus Consolidated Government invites the public to attend a public meeting on Monday, June 9th from 4:00 to 6:00p.m. at the Annex Building, 420 10th Street, 1st Floor. This public meeting will provide details and gather feedback on two major infrastructure projects:

1. Street Rehabilitation – Broadway from 4th to 5th Street The project consists of upgrading the sanitary sewer and stormwater collection system. Other local utility systems will be able to upgrade their systems at this time. The existing brick pavers will be removed and replaced as part of this project. Driveways and sidewalks will be reconnected during this project.

2. 8th Street Improvements from Front Avenue to Veterans Parkway The purpose of this project is to implement traffic calming measures to make 8th Street more pedestrian friendly. The proposed improvements include raised crosswalks in all four directions at the intersection of 8th Street and 1st Avenue and the intersection of 8th Street and 3rd Avenue. A mini roundabout is proposed at the intersection of 8th Street and 2nd Avenue. Additionally, ADA accessible curb cuts (aka wheelchair ramps) will be installed or modified throughout the project limits, and sidewalk connectivity to bus stops will be added. All work will take place within existing right of way limits, and traffic calming measures will take place within the existing curb lines. Proposed construction materials (i.e. colored concrete, pavers, etc.) will be installed to resemble the colors and patterns of existing materials in the Columbus Historic District. The City encourages all residents, business owners, and stakeholders to attend the meeting, learn about the upcoming improvements, and share their feedback

Annual Notices of Assessment were mailed to all property owners May 19, 2025. The annual notices are a requirement of the Georgia Department of Revenue and detail the fair market value, any exemptions from taxation, and an estimate of property taxes based on last year’s millage rate on all real and personal taxable property.

There is a 45-day window in which to contest the value, which runs from May 19, 2025 to July 3, 2025. Appeals must be filed in person, online using the online appeal feature or postmarked no later than 5 PM, July 3, 2025.

The Columbus Consolidated Government has released the updated garbage collection schedule in observance of Juneteenth. To ensure all garbage is collected in a timely manner, please review the schedule and plan accordingly.

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces a traffic shift scheduled for Saturday, June 7, as part of the ongoing bridge construction on I-85 over Miller Road. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing until 5:00 p.m., traffic on SR 85/US 27 ALT Southbound will be shifted to travel across the newly constructed bridge.

Details of the Traffic Shift: • Southbound traffic will shift right to travel over the new bridge. • The exit ramp will also be shifted to the right. • Once the shift is complete, a barrier will be installed to permanently close the previous route.