Madison County Tax Assessor

Biography:

Fran Hamilton became Madison County's first woman Tax Assessor when she was elected to this post on November 5, 2002. Her six-year term of office began October 1, 2003, but she began serving on January 4, 2003, when she was appointed by Governor Don Siegelman to serve out the term of former Tax Assessor, Wayland Cooley.
When Hamilton took office one of her primary goals was to implement cost savings. Hamilton has partnered with other government entities to reduce operating costs of the office, which has saved thousands of taxpayer dollars. Examples include: sharing costs with another government agency to provide aerial photography, contracting with a local university to preserve old land and lot books in digital format and securing a climate controlled environment at a local library for storing and preserving other historical documents. These cost saving measures have enabled Hamilton to provide access to county tax information over the Internet with no subscription charge. Cost of operating the office was further reduced by consolidating and remodeling the office, thereby reducing the amount of floor space needed from three floors to just two. Another of Hamilton’s goals was to update the computer hardware and software that was installed in the office in the late 1980’s. Hamilton has continued to introduce new technology by upgrading software and hardware that has enhanced the efficiency of the office as well as allowing for information to be hosted on the Internet.
Hamilton was born in south Alabama's Butler County. She has lived primarily in Madison County since 1973, when she moved here to become the Accountant and Office Manager of Huntsville Aviation Corporation. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Athens State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Hamilton continued her accounting studies, earning her certified public accountant (CPA) designation in 1994. In 2006, she earned her Alabama Certified Tax Administrator (ACTA) designation.
Prior to becoming Tax Assessor, Hamilton was a State Examiner of Public Accounts, where she audited local government agencies and officials in five counties in north Alabama, including the Madison County Tax Assessor's office.
Hamilton is very involved in the community and is a member of a number of organizations including: Alabama Association of Assessing Officials, Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Society of Women Accountants, International Association of Assessing Officers, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and Kiwanis Club of Huntsville.
She is married to Ray Hamilton, her husband of thirty years, and is a member of Holmes Street United Methodist Church.

Tax Assessor 256-532-3350
100 Northside Square Fax 256-532-6942
Courthouse 121

Fran Hamilton, Tax Assessor
Marquita Key, Administrative Assistant
Telesia Chambers, Chief Clerk

Assessing (256) 532-3350
Appraisal (256) 532-3357
Research (256) 532-3770
Personal Property (256) 532-6907
Board of Equalization (256) 532-3360

Courthouse Hours: 8:30 - 5:00 Monday - Friday
Satellite Hours: 8:30 - 4:30 Monday - Friday
Satellites Closed for Lunch 12:00 - 12:30

SATELLITE OFFICES

Southern Family Market
7520 Hwy. 72 W. Madison

Meridianville
12290 Hwy. 231-431 Meridianville
Flint Crossing Shopping Center, Ste. K

Parkway Place
2801 Memorial Parkway
Parkway Place Mall

Online Tax Assessment Information

Tax Assessment Maps

Madison County Property Tax Facts

Business Personal Property Return Form

Property Maintenance Department
This department is responsible for making an on site review of subdivisions and other lands, to measure and list all improvements, and also calculate values, based on guidelines and specifications mandated by the State Department of Revenue.

Alabama Certified Appraiser (Real Property):
Richard Gattis, Chief Appraiser - Residential
Phillip Christian
Amy Curtis
Patrick Douglas
Garland Elders
Kyle Fowler
Pamela Layne
Kathy Priest

Rebecca Reed Krause, Valuation Analyst

Alabama Certified Appraiser (Personal Property):
Brian Goodwin, Chief Appraiser - Personal Property
Telesia Chambers, Chief Clerk
Patrick Douglas
Faye Gentle
Cathy Howard
Roger Lombard
Wendy Martin

Computer Mapping Department
This department is responsible for maintaining maps of property lines. Recently completed, digitized maps are available, based on recorded subdivision plats and recorded deeds.

Alabama Certified Mappers:
Tim Moore, Appraisal & Mapping Administrator
Deborah Phillips, GIS Project Supervisor
Richard Clouse
Elizabeth Okesky

Assessing Department
This department is responsible for preparing assessment information of property, both real and personal, for the purpose of ad valorem taxation. All exemptions, applicable under Alabama State Law, must be applied for in this office.

In 2007, $168,657,756 was assessed and charged to the Tax Collector’s Office for collection of taxes. This amount represents approximately 162,946 parcels. This can be compared to the following years:
2006 - $149,172,049
2005 - $141,766,492
2004 - $116,005,586
2003 - $111,343,012
2002 - $108,590,465
2001 - $101,888,170
2000 - $ 88,811,077
1999 - $ 88,198,427

The Tax Assessor's Office maintains records of property ownership by subdivision lots or metes and bounds legal descriptions. Plat maps are available for research. Recorded subdivision plats are available for research, as well as a listing of ownership of lots.

Old assessment records and plat books are available for research purposes. Some records date back to the 1800's.

Support Staff Level I Certification:
Stephanie Bolden
Lajoi Hale
Michelle Holland

Support Staff Level II Certification:
Lisa Byrd
Judy Dalton
Marquita Key
Lucy Lloyd
Lanette Wilbourn

Board of Equalization
If a property owner questions the value placed on his property, the Board of Equalization will meet with the property owner to review the value. The Board sets a schedule based on written request of a property owner. A written protest of value must be mailed to the following address: Madison County Board of Equalization, Tax Assessor's Office, Madison County Courthouse, 100 Northside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801. Board Members: Charles Swafford Jr. - Chairman, Bland Warren, Pat Millirons, Fran Hamilton - Secretary.