The Coweta County Commission on Aug. 16 conducted the final public hearing on the 2016 millage rate that will result in higher average tax bills to property owners.
Two of the three required public hearings were populated with speakers who were largely employees of the county and who supported the new millage rate. Only one person signed up to speak in opposition on Aug. 16, though his concern was with the school board millage rate
The commission adopted a millage rate that will increase property taxes by 5.1 percent in the incorporated areas and by 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 will decrease from 6.33 mills to 6.27 mills. Taken as a whole, the rates for both areas represents a tax increase since the value of many properties across the county increased in the past year.
“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.
