School millage rollback offsets county increase
Gilmer County taxpayers under the age of 65 will see a slight decrease in their millage rate in 2025.
For taxpayers over 65, who do not pay school taxes, the millage rate will increase .25 mils over last year.
These rates were locked in for 2025 at a special called meeting Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Younger taxpayers will receive a total millage rate of 15.45, which is down from 15.494 in 2024. This rate includes the school tax rate of 9.121 mils, a county rate of 5.829 mils and a general obligation bond rate of .5 mils.
In 2024, these rates were 9.415 for the schools, 5.329 for the county and .75 for the bond.
Taxpayers over the age of 65 do not pay school taxes, therefore their rate will be 6.329 mils, which is a quarter point higher than the 6.079 in 2024.
During public hearings about the increase, Gilmer County commissioners said the .5 mil increase in the millage rate for the county is necessary to staff and supply a fifth ambulance for the county.
“We need a fifth ambulance,” Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris said. “That ambulance is not going to run itself.”
The ambulance has been purchased, but in order to staff and supply the ambulance, Paris said it will cost roughly $1 million. This will take up the majority of the net .25 mil increase.
To soften the blow somewhat, commissioners voted to drop the bond rate from .75 mils to .5 mils.
During public hearings about the county rate, Paris said a review of the current millage rates in Georgia, if the various tax districts are added in with each county, shows Gilmer County having the sixth lowest millage in the state.
A sheet was available at both meetings which shows for a $250,000 home the net increase between raising the maintenance budget millage rate by .5 mils and lowering the bond millage rate by .25 mils would be $25. The total county portion of taxes would be $632.90.
For a $500,000 home, the net increase would be $50 for a total county bill of $1,265.80.
For a $1,000,000 home, the net increase would be $100 for a total county bill of $2,531.60.
“We were pretty happy with the rollback rate,” Gilmer County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said during the July 24 meeting where the vote was taken to set the school millage rate.