Gilmer County commissioners approved the rollback millage rate.
The rate was approved at a special called meeting Monday morning, July 26, which was attended by Chair Charlie Paris and Post Commissioner Hubert Parker.
By Georgia law, counties are required to calculate a rollback rate to keep the revenue neutral. If the digest increases, meaning the assessed property increases in value, but the millage rate is kept the same, resulting in an increase in revenue it must be advertised as a tax increase.
“We have to calculate the rollback every year,” said Paris. “You have to go all the way back to the formula or else it is a tax increase.”
Based on the state formula, Gilmer County will rollback their millage rate from 6.753 to 6.222.
Paris said the millage rate will still net the county a $300,000 increase. The total revenue projected from the millage rate is $10,390,546 at 100 percent collection.
In addition, the board voted to reduce the bond millage rate, used to pay off the county’s general obligation bond, from 1.25 to 1 mil. Last year the board reduced it from 1.5 to 1.25. The mil provides $1,669,969 which is applied toward the bond payment.
Paris cautioned taxpayers to review their bill. He also wants them to recognize there are two entities represented on the property tax bill, the county and the schools.
“Don’t assume it’s all going to the county,” he said. “I’m not trying to throw the schools under the bus, I just want them to get their share of the credit.”