Peachtree City's millage rate will stay the same, but that still adds

up to a property tax increase for most city residents.

The tax hike will be tied solely to the increase in property valuations

since the millage rate is remaining the same.

The city's budget for the coming fiscal year is $26.55 million, not

including an additional $3.026 million in carryover projects from the current

fiscal year, most of which are tied to the widening of Ga. Highway 54 from

two to four lanes.

Included in the city's budget is $974,000 to pay for the bond which

allows for the voter-approved expansion of the city's library.

Also in the budget are 10 new full-time staffers, including three police

officers, three firefighters, an assistant fire marshal, along with a staff

assistant in administrative services to help with court duties, a purchasing

agent and a maintenance technician for the public works department.

The city can afford to add the new positions because of an upswing in revenue

and a significant amount of savings from the current year's budget,

officials said.

Were it not for voters approving the library expansion, which will begin

in several weeks, the city likely could have rolled back the millage rate

to avoid any tax increase, officials said.

The cost of paying the debt service for the library equates to .258 mills,

and the difference between the rollback rate and the proposed millage rate

is .255 mills, according to City Finance Director Paul Salvatore.