Forsyth County tax commissioner Matthew Ledbetter dies unexpectedly at 59
Matthew Ledbetter’s death at 59 leaves Forsyth County’s tax office handling bills, tag renewals and appeal deadlines during a leadership transition.
Forsyth County Tax Commissioner Matthew Ledbetter died unexpectedly at home at 59. County officials announced his death Sunday, June 28, a day after he died Saturday, June 27.
Ledbetter had served nearly 21 years as Forsyth County’s tax commissioner, taking office on Jan. 1, 2005, and was in his sixth term after being re-elected in 2024. That term was scheduled to run through Dec. 31, 2028. The tax commissioner is a constitutional office.
He was a graduate of Forsyth Central High School and the University of Georgia. Board of Commissioners Chairman Alfred John said Ledbetter spent decades serving others and helped modernize the office. Sheriff Ron Freeman praised the office’s long reputation for customer service and called Ledbetter’s service exceptional. Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow said he was heartbroken by the loss of a close friend and credited Ledbetter with turning the office into a highly efficient operation.
Residents can search property information, pay property taxes securely and renew car tags online on the tax commissioner’s website. The Board of Assessors mailed 2026 annual notices on June 26, just two days before Ledbetter’s death, and property owners have 45 days from the mailing date to appeal the assessed value shown on the notice.
The assessors office is also moving from 110 E. Main St., Suite 260, to 426 Canton Highway, Cumming, effective Monday, June 29. Tax payments are no longer accepted at the Board of Assessors office and must instead be made at either of the Tax Commissioner’s offices.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the county’s population at 282,805 on July 1, 2025, up from 280,096 the year before, with 98,879 housing units, an 84.4% owner-occupied rate and a median owner-occupied home value of $550,400. County tax materials show the 2025 digest value rose 9.54% over the previous year, and Maintenance & Operations property taxes levied this year were set to increase by a net 5.88% over the rollback millage rate.
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