THE TAX ASSESSORS TEAM: Len Powell smiles with his Tax Assessors Board team, as he prepares to retire. (Jill Holloway/The Thomasville Times- Enterprise)

THOMASVILLE- Tax Assessors board member Len Powell was in for a surprise on Wednesday afternoon when the Thomas County Board of Commissioners and members from the Tax Assessors Board threw him a retirement celebration. 

Powell has been a member of the Tax Assessors Board for 11 years, serving wherever called, and will be thoroughly missed by fellow members, who have witnessed the changes alongside Powell over the decade. 

Daniel Stokes spoke at the celebration, sharing he joined the Board in 1997, back when the Tax Assessors Board was the “red-headed stepchild,” and operated out of the basement. When operating out of the basement, the Board would often receive visits from Powell, who shared funny, charming stories. 

Knowing Powell well, the team was excited when he eventually joined in 2014 at their new location, the Thomas County Historic Courthouse. 

“He’s always been really helpful, and has been in the real estate business for a long time and understood what we were trying to do,” Stokes said. “It was great to add his expertise as we went along.” 

Stokes not only appreciated Powell’s expertise, but the personal relationship and advice he had offered over the years. 

“He’s done a lot to keep our values straight, and if you check the news, some of the surrounding counties have not kept their values straight, but ours has thanks to his leadership and guidance,” Stokes said. 

Powell appreciated Stokes’ kind words, sharing he has appreciated every bit of it. 

Stokes was not the only person appreciative of Powell’s longtime dedication. 

County Manager Mike Stephenson recalled when he joined the Thomas County staff in 1998, he learned of the agreement between the City and the County on service delivery, dividing the services up for the first sales tax. The delivery draft had been crafted by Powell and John Willoughby. 

“What’s interesting about that is that Thomasville and Thomas County were actually doing service delivery strategy before the state of Georgia mandated it,” Stephenson said. 

The mandate would divide up the services of animal control, libraries, and recreation. 

“It was a very forward-moving agreement and we appreciate the contributions you made to it,” Stephenson said. 

Stephenson also pointed out Powell’s forward-thinking when it came to online. 

“You were the first person to come to me about putting tax information online,” he said. “I didn’t know what you were talking about, but you had a plan.” 

At the behest of Powell, Thomas County was the first location to be put on QPublic, which allows users to view local government information and related records online. 

County Commissioner Mark NeSmith also celebrated Powell’s numerous contributions, as he was the one who encouraged Powell to apply to be on the board nearly 11 years ago. 

“I want to thank you personally for your service on that board,” NeSmith said. “You’ve been a tremendous asset and brought a lot of knowledge with the field you were in. You have served the citizens of Thomas County well.” 

Powell appreciated the kind words of everyone, and looks forward to his successor and fellow realtor Mills Herndon continuing his work.