Countywide, taxes are going up —
Aug. 15 will be one of the year’s busiest days for local governing officials.
Four governments — Fayette County, Peachtree City, Fayetteville and Tyrone — all will hold one or two public hearings each on that day to prepare their citizens for coming tax increases.
The Fayette County Board of Education gets a day’s jump on them, scheduling two public hearings the day before on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Local governing bodies are scheduling hearings to allow state-mandated public input on coming tax increases. Here’s the schedule:
• Fayette County Board of Education — The county school system has the largest budget in Fayette, and most taxpayers will see an increase in what they pay, compared to last year.
Public hearings: Two hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 12 noon and at 6 p.m. The final hearing will be Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.
At that final hearing, the school board will officially adopt the millage rate for the coming fiscal year.
Hearing location: The Lafayette Educational Center, 205 LaFayette Avenue, Fayetteville.
Fiscal Year 2020 school budget: $229.5 million.
Tax millage rate to be set: 19.250 mills.
Increase over a rollback millage rate: 4.9 percent.
• The Fayette County government — Run by the county commission, it’s the second largest taxing entity in the county.
Public hearings: Three hearings are required for a tax increase (no rollback). Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. and later the same day at 5 p.m. The third hearing will be Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Also at that same Aug. 22 meeting, the Fayette County Commission will vote to adopt the budget.
Location: Public Meeting Room at the Fayette County Administrative Complex at 140 West Stonewall Avenue in Fayetteville.
FY 2020 budget: $55.2 million for the county’s general fund budget. The total budget for all county services, including the sheriff’s department and all other constitutional officers, comes to $104.951 million.
Tax millage rate to be set: 4.392 mills, an increase of 0.221 mills.
Increase over a rollback millage rate: 5.30 percent.
• Peachtree City — Largest city in the county, governed by the City Council.
Public hearings: First hearing Aug. 15 at 7:30 a.m. Second hearing during the regular meeting of the council at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 15. The third hearing and a special called meeting to adopt the millage rate will be Aug. 22 at 9 a.m.
Location: Council chambers in City Hall, 151 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City.
FY2020 budget: $39.3 million operating budget and another $3.27 million for capital improvement projects.
Tax millage rate to be set: 6.232 mills.
Increase over a rollback millage rate: Not provided by the city.
• Fayetteville — County seat of Fayette County.
Public hearings: Aug. 15 at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Final hearing on Aug. 29.
Location: City Hall, 240 South Glynn Street, Fayetteville.
FY2020 budget: $17.2 million.
Tax millage rate to be set: 5.646 mills, an increase of 0.229 mills.
Increase over a rollback millage rate: 4.23 percent.
• Tyrone — The Town Council says it will maintain its 11-year run at the same millage rate — 2.889 mills. With increased property value assessments, however, the same millage results in a tax increase.
Public hearings: Aug. 15 at 7 p.m, Aug. 20 at 9:30 a.m., and the final hearing on Aug. 22 at 9:30 a.m. The council will set the rate the same day, Aug. 22, at 6:30 p.m. in a called meeting.
Location: Tyrone Town Hall, 881 Senoia Rd., Tyrone.
FY2020 budget: $12.042 million.
Tax millage rate to be set: 2.889 mills versus a rollback rate of 2.758 mills, or an increase of 0.131 mill.
Increase over a rollback millage rate: 7.54 percent more in ad valorem tax revenue than the current year.
