Fayette residents will get their first chance tomorrow to speak up on the

Board of Education's proposed tax hike.

Last week, the board voted to increase the operations millage rate from

18.869 mills to 19.19 mills, which translates into a tax hike of $19 a year

for residents who own a $200,000 home.

Education officials said two factors led to the increase: The reduction

in state funds and a slower than expected growth in the tax digest.

During the last three years, the school system has lost nearly $8 million

in state funding due to budget cuts. The board also anticipated the county's

tax digest growing by nearly 9 percent this year, but it only grew 6.5 percent.

Because the board is not rolling back the millage rate to reflect the reassessments,

they're required by state law to hold three public hearings.

Tomorrow's noon hearing will be followed by a 7 p.m. hearing tomorrow

night, with the final hearing and approval of the millage rate Aug. 12 at

8:30 a.m. All hearings will be at the Board of Education meeting room at

210 West Stonewall Ave. in Fayetteville.