Mayor ‘overlooked’ years of past-due taxes

Published 1:42 pm Thursday, January 18, 2018

Hobbs

THOMASVILLE — Thomasville Mayor Greg Hobbs said he apparently overlooked $22,000 in unpaid property taxes from 2015, 2016 and 2017.

“I guess I just overlooked it,” Hobbs told the Times-Enterprise Wednesday.

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According to Thomas County Tax Commission information, on Jan. 1, Hobbs owed county government $8,306.73 in taxes for the three years.

On Jan. 9, Hobbs paid $3,936.01 on the county taxes.

“That was for the ’15 and ’16 years,” said Alicia Hester, Thomas County tax commissioner. “He has an outstanding balance of $3,589.44 on ’17.”

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The payment for 2015 and 2016 included $767.30 in penalties and interest.

“Everybody got late notices on Dec. 7,” Hester said.

Hobbs said he is not aware of owing more county taxes. 

“It’s gonna get paid within the next few days,” the mayor said.

He had not paid the taxes by noon Thursday.

On Jan. 11, Hobbs paid $13,693.31 in delinquent Thomasville City School System property taxes. The payment — for 2015, 2016 and 2017 — includes penalties and interest.

Hobbs conceded his school taxes “might have been late.” He added, “They’re going to gain, because they’re going to get penalties.”

The City of Thomasville does not levy property taxes.

Hobbs said the taxes he owed — and owes — are on rental properties.

“None of those are personal property,” he said. “There’s really no excuse not to pay. … I’ve been late in the past, but I haven’t been this late.”

The oaths he took on Jan. 8 when sworn in to a new city council term and as the council-elected mayor have nothing to do with the taxes, Hobbs said.

“I’m not the only one (council member) late paying taxes,” said Hobbs, who declined to name council members with outstanding tax bills.

Hobbs said that because he is late, “I’m not going to throw anybody else under the bus.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820