The Habersham County Commission has approved a property tax increase for this fiscal year. Commissioners Ty Akins, Bruce Palmer, and Dustin Mealor voted in favor of the millage rate hike – raising it from 11.682 to 12.682 mills. Commissioners Bruce Harkness and Jimmy Tench voted against the tax increase.
The 3-2 vote followed the third in a series of state-mandated public hearings on the millage rate increase. During the hearing, several county residents spoke against the tax hike, pointing out the difficulties people on fixed incomes are having in the current economy. Several others spoke in favor of raising taxes.
Due to a slight decrease in the Habersham County School Board’s millage rate, the overall millage for the county will be 26.075 this fiscal year, an overall .12 mill increase, according to county finance director Tim Sims.
Commissioners now turn their attention to a Transportation SPLOST in the fall. Voters will decide whether to raise the local sales tax from 7% to 8% to pay for roads and bridges and other transportation-related projects.
The county livestreamed tonight’s tax hearing and commission meeting on its website. To view the meeting, click here or
Check back here for details.
