The Coweta County Commission held an Aug. 2 public hearing on the 2016 millage rate that would lead to higher average tax bills ranging from $9 to nearly $22.
None of the one dozen public speakers had substantial disagreement with the tax hike and nearly all spoke in favor of it.
The commission has tentatively adopted a millage rate that would increase property taxes by 5.1 percent in the incorporated areas and 2.5 percent in the unincorporated areas.
The millage rate for the incorporated areas remained the same at 7.47 mills while the rate for the unincorporated areas would decrease from 6.33 mills to 6.27 mills. The rate is still essentially a tax increase since the value of properties across the county increased in the past year.
The tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 7.47 mills in incorporated Coweta County, an increase of .36 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate would be no more than 7.11 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $175,000 is approximately $21.60 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $150,000 is approximately $21.60.
The tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 6.27 mills in unincorporated Coweta County, an increase of .15 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate would be no more than 6.12 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $175,000 is approximately $9 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $150,000 is approximately $9.
“As the chairman of the Board of Commissioners, I feel that it is prudent for the board to adopt the proposed millage rates in order to continue providing quality, cost-effective services, and offer competitive benefits for the employees that serve our community,” said Chairman Tim Lassetter.
“Coweta County has historically been a very fiscally conservative local government and continues to be today. The county has minimal debt and operates with fewer employees than other comparable local governments. Coweta County was named America’s Best Affordable Place in Georgia in 2011 due to high quality of life and low cost. Recognizing a portion of the growth in reassessed property values will allow the County to attract new business and industry, ensure that development is well planned, provide the quality of life that our citizens have come to expect, and retain and recruit a talented, market-competitive workforce.”
Additional public hearings on the millage rate will be held on Aug. 16 at 7:30 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. in the commission chambers located at 37 Perry Street in Newnan.
