Haralson County’s Property Tax Increase: A Call for Accountability, Transparency, and Compassion

Recently, Haralson County residents received shocking property tax assessment notices, with some taxes nearly doubling overnight. As a fellow resident and homeowner, I deeply sympathize with the stress and anxiety this sudden financial burden has caused. These kinds of increases aren’t just numbers on paper—they represent real struggles for real families trying to make ends meet.

I’ve heard from seniors who fear losing the homes they’ve lived in for decades, from young families who worry about whether they can still afford to raise their children here, and from hardworking individuals who simply feel blindsided and overwhelmed. These are not isolated concerns—this is a community-wide hardship.

Understanding the Impact Taxes have on Our Neighbors

The Haralson County Board of Assessors attributes these changes to increased property values in the real estate market, but that doesn’t make the consequences any less painful. For many in our community—retirees on fixed incomes, working families, single parents, and long-time residents—this dramatic spike can feel like a gut punch. It forces our neighbors to make impossible decisions about whether they can afford to keep their homes or stay in the place they’ve built their lives.

This is more than just a policy issue—it’s a human issue. It affects our sense of security, stability, and belonging. It disrupts lives and shakes the foundations of a community already trying to preserve its small-town charm amidst growing economic pressure.

Why We Must Do Better

No one should wake up to a tax bill that threatens their livelihood without warning or recourse. Our local government must do more to communicate changes and protect our residents from abrupt shocks to their financial well-being. Respecting our citizens means respecting their right to plan, prepare, and be part of the conversation before decisions are made.

When people feel left in the dark, it erodes trust—and rebuilding that trust begins with better communication, stronger leadership, and a sincere commitment to serve the people, not burden them.

Where We Fell Short—and How to Fix It

1. Compassionate Communication: We must do better at informing residents—well before assessments go out—about what’s coming and why. These messages should be timely, clear, and rooted in empathy. Residents deserve transparency, not surprises.

2. Community-Focused Leadership: Local leaders must listen to the voices of our community and be strong advocates for fairness in taxation. That means scrutinizing how we set millage rates, ensuring assessments are accurate, and never losing sight of the people behind the numbers. Leadership means taking responsibility—not passing the blame.

3. Protecting Our Residents: We need policies that shield homeowners from severe financial whiplash. Whether that’s phased-in assessments, expanded exemptions for vulnerable residents, homestead protections, or serious conversations about reducing millage rates, we must lead with fairness. A just system doesn’t force people to choose between their home and their basic needs.

   
   

What We Can Do Right Now

If you’ve received a tax bill that feels impossible to manage, you are not alone. I strongly encourage everyone to explore the appeal process—your voice matters. We must also show up at public meetings, speak out, and support one another as neighbors. We can’t allow anyone to be priced out of their home without a fight.

We need to demand that elected officials respond not just with efficiency, but with heart. Budgeting responsibly doesn’t mean balancing the books on the backs of our community’s most vulnerable. It means putting people first.

A Vision of Fairness, Stability, and Empathy

As your candidate for Mayor, I promise to fight for a local government that leads with compassion and transparency. I believe in policies rooted in fairness, in communication that respects our residents, and in leadership that understands the real-life impact of every decision.

Let’s build a future where families can stay in their homes, where seniors can age with dignity, where young people can afford to plant roots, and where no one is left wondering how they’ll pay their next tax bill. Let’s restore trust, protect our neighbors, and preserve what makes Tallapoosa special.

Together, we can make that future possible.

Joe Glass -The Clear Choice for Responsible Family-Focused Growth.