The Columbia County Board of Commissioners held the second millage rate hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
County Manager Scott Johnson told commissioners the staff is recommending a quarter mill rollback of the millage rate to 4.895 from 5.147.
“We actually did our budget this year based on a projected millage rate of 4.999,” Johnson said. “After we worked on the budget, we did it on a 5% growth in the digest, we saw a large growth in the digest. We’ve actually proposed a millage rate of 4.895, so we’re looking at a full quarter mill rollback of the millage rate.”
Johnson said the millage rate has either been rolled back or stayed the same for the past few years. In 2018 the millage rate was 6.091, in 2019 and 2020 it was 5.999, in 2021 it was 5.683 and in 2022 it was 5.147.
“I think it’s safe to say that there will be a tax decrease regardless because we are certainly advertising a millage rate less than what we had last year,” Johnson said.
I think it’s safe to say that there will be a tax decrease regardless because we are certainly advertising a millage rate less than what we had last year.”
Johnson also touched on the additional homestead exemptions for this year that citizens will receive with the Property Tax Relief Grant.
“I think one of the things of importance to note this year is the governors and the legislatures additional homestead exemption, so instead a $2,000 exemption on our tax rate, get an additional $18,000 for a total of $20,000 in exemption,” Johnson said. “This is important to note because the amount of rollback we do will then be equated to the amount of rebate we get back from the state. So, if we rolled it back further, we’re leaving money on the table from the state.”
Board Chair Doug Duncan asked to clarify that if it the rate was rolled back less this year means it could be rolled back more next year because of state subsidizing.
“Potentially you could do a larger rollback,” Johnson said. “It’s just a matter of do we have a need for the additional funds. Can we put these additional funds to use?”
Johnson mentioned that costs for items increased and items the county needs to purchase are all over budget due to this.
“Eventually we’re going to have to figure out ways to pay for that,” Johnson said. “I think the money can be put to use if there’s a way we can get the additional money from the state, take advantage of this rollback the state is doing, then yes, maybe next year we can do even more rollback or go all the way to the rollback potentially.”
Johnson added that when it comes to government spending, Columbia County is “an atypical government.” Since he’s been county manager, he can’t think of a single year where the county has spent the entire budget, and in fact has given money back each year. Those funds are used for capital projects to help improve the community.
“Ultimately we’ll have to decide when is enough, enough,” Duncan said. “Where is the line? That’s ultimately what we’ll be voting on.”
There were no comments from members of the public at the second hearing. The third hearing will be held Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. Commissioners will set the millage rate following this hearing.
Stephanie Hill is the managing editor and covers Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
