The only tax relief property owners will see this year will be from the Habersham County Board of Education and from the state’s Homestead Tax Relief Grant. Habersham County commissioners voted 3-2 to maintain the current General Fund M & O millage rate at 12.682 mills.
They raised the Emergency Services Fund millage rate by .229 mills. The increase is expected to raise an additional $516,000 to offset more than a half-million dollars in added expenses due to pay raises and inflation.
Voting block
County commissioners had the option to roll back the General Fund M & O millage rate to 11.661, a reduction of 1.021 mills. That would have collectively saved property owners $1,761,954.
Despite comments last week by Commission Chair Ty Akins that, “Until we vote on it, nothing is a given,” the 3-2 voting block that has come to define this county commission voted as expected.
Commissioner Bruce Palmer made the motion to approve the county’s proposed millage rates. Commissioner Dustin Mealor seconded that motion, with Commission Chair Ty Akins casting the deciding vote. All three voted for last year’s property tax increase and this year’s budget.
Commissioners Bruce Harkness and Jimmy Tench voted against the proposed millage rates. Harkness said he supported a rollback and leaner budget. Both voted against last year’s property tax increase and this year’s budget.
The approved millage rates for 2023 are as follows:
General Fund M & O Millage 12.682 (unchanged)
Hospital Debt Fund (Bonds) 0.842 (unchanged)
Emergency Services 1.124 (+.229)
Habersham Co. School Board 10.354 (-1.372)
Total County Millage 2023 Tax Year 25.002
Valuations rose by 8.76% this year. So, while the overall millage rate is slightly lower this year than last due to the school board cut, higher property assessments will result in tax increases for many.
Public sentiment
Since the budget commissioners adopted in June required a tax increase, they were legally required to hold three public hearings.
More than a dozen property owners spoke out against the millage rate proposal during those hearings. Most spoke in opposition of the tax increase, citing inflation and slow salary growth, especially for those on fixed incomes. One person said they support the increase. Several questioned why property values in the county keep rising.
In the end, none of the comments changed the expected outcome.
“I think it is what we all expected, considering how the vote for the budget went,” said Akins following Wednesday night’s vote. “I think those that voted for the budget would have been irresponsible, in my opinion, not to have the funds to match it. Those two things kind of go together.”
SEE ALSO
County taxpayers urge ‘belt tightening’ and millage rate cut to no avail
