The City of Cornelia has tentatively adopted a millage rate that will require a property tax increase for 2018.
The city issued a public notice about the proposed increase Thursday afternoon. Cornelia City Manager Dee Anderson explains the city is not proposing raising the millage rate – it would remain at 8.5 mills – but the city is proposing getting rid of the current millage rate roll-back. The net effect of doing that would be a property tax increase.
If approved, owners of a home with a fair market value of $80,000 would pay approximately $7.74 more per year in taxes. Owners of non-homestead property with a fair market value of $200,000 would pay approximately $19.36 more.
Anderson says Cornelia has relied on reserve funds to balance the budget for at least the past twelve years. “For this reason we do not roll the millage rate back even if the result will be an increase.” He says the revenue generated will enable the city to continue offering “the level of services that our citizens expect.”
Before commissioners can adopt the proposed millage rate they must hold three public hearings.
City officials scheduled the first public hearing for Tuesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. in the city’s Municipal Building. The two other hearings are scheduled for October 9 at 12 noon and 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
Commissioners invite all concerned citizens to attend.
The Municipal Building is located at 156 Foreacre Street, Cornelia, GA.
