Coweta County's

governments took the first step this week towards ensuring that residents

will get their property tax bills by the end of the month.

The city of

Senoia led off the taxation charge Monday night by setting its millage

rate at 7.03, which is the same as last year, said Mayor Joan Trammell.

Tuesday morning,

the Coweta County Board of Commissioners lowered its millage rate for

the eighth straight year. Residents in the incorporated areas of the county

will pay 6.20 mills, down from last year's 6.26. Residents in the unincorporated

county will pay 5.21 mills, down from last years 5.27.

Some residents

have written letters to local papers criticizing the county not rolling

back the rate even more.

"I don't

apologize for fiscal conservatism," said Commissioner Robert Wood.

County Administrator

Theron Gay said five years ago the unincorporated rate was 5.75 mills.

Finally, the

Coweta County Board of Education lowered its millage rate for maintenance

and operation to 17.87 mills, down from 17.88.

Gay said Tax

Commissioner Tommy Ferrell would be bringing the figures

and rates to the Revenue Department today. Residents should get their

property tax bills near the end of October and taxes will be due in December.