The county's

property taxpayers will have a better idea of this year's tax bills after

two boards set millage rates next week.

The Coweta

County Board of Education is expected to give approval Monday to a 17.94

millage rate, which is .73 mils higher than last year.

According to

local realtors, the average value of a home in Coweta County is approximately

$150,000, and 17.94 mills in ad valorem taxes would result in a tax bill

(not including any exemptions) of $1,079 for such a home. With a net increase

proposed of .73 mills, that means that this year's average household in

Coweta County would see a net increase of $43.80 on their tax bill, or

$3.65 per month when broken down that way..

School officials

said the board is also faced with the concern that the current poor economic

conditions could remain the same or even worsen next year. These economic

trends, coupled with the continuing high rate of student population growth,

are the reasons the board is proposing 17.94 mills for Maintenance and

Operation and 0.00 mills for Debt Service for a total millage of 17.94.

The board held

hearings on the tax increase this week, but less than 20 citizens showed

up at the two hearings.

But just barely

two miles away from the Board of Education headquarters, the Coweta County

Commission plans to lower the millage rate for property owners in the

county for the 10th consecutive year on Tuesday.

The county

is expected to officially drop the rate from 5.02 mills to 5 mills for

residents in the incorporated county and from 4.26 mills to 3.93 mills

for unincorporated residents at its Oct.15 meeting..

Commissioner

Robert Wood said the tax cutting began in 1992 when he was voted into

office, along with Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter.

"We were

presented with a deficit budget and would not accept it," he said.

Commissioner

Lawrence Nelms also made it clear the county has nothing to do with the

school system's millage rate.

The tax rate

is expected to be set at 6 p.m. Oct. 15.