Habersham County leaders are proposing two tax hikes that could cost property owners and shoppers hundreds more in taxes each year.
Millage rate
Commissioners are considering raising the county millage rate from 11.682 to 12.682. The cost to the average homeowner would be around $100 per year, according to county finance director Tim Sims. Officials say the funds are needed to cover the cost of this year’s tentative budget, which includes 24 new positions – 17 of them in public safety.
The county held the first of three public hearings on that proposal Monday, July 11. You may view a recorded livestream of that meeting here.
The next two millage rate hearings are set for July 18 at 11 a.m. at the county administrative building and 6 p.m. on July 18 ahead of the commission’s regular meeting at the county courthouse. The commission is expected to vote at that meeting on a final millage rate.
T-SPLOST
In addition to the property tax hike, the county is promoting a 1% Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax to raise money for roads and bridges. The specifics of the proposal have not been revealed, but the tax is expected to generate approximately $44 million over five years.
The first public T-SPLOST hearing is on Tuesday, July 12, at 10 a.m. at the Cornelia Community House. Another will be held at 6 p.m. on July 20 at Habersham EMC headquarters in Clarkesville.
The millage rate increase needs only to be approved by commissioners; Habersham County voters will decide in November whether to approve T-SPLOST.
