Lowering the millage rate for 2022 was a topic of discussion at Tuesday’s Columbia County Board of Education meeting.
In 2020, the millage rate was 18.3%, but rolled back to 18.1% in 2021. The Columbia County board is now discussing rolling the millage rate back for the third consecutive year.
“When we built our budget, it was estimated on a 5% increase, and since that time we are now seeing that estimate a good bit higher, so the tax digest came in larger than we had been proposed by the tax commissioner,” said School Superintendent Steve Flynt.
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“We do need to provide some tax relief, and I think a half a point reduction and a pledging of the other part of that excess toward our building program would be a sound way to do that,” said Chairman of the Board David Dekle.
The new millage rate will be voted on at the next meeting on Tuesday, July 26.
The Columbia County Board of Education also welcomed new administration.
Toni Cliatt was appointed as Greenbrier Middle School’s new principal. Cliatt was previously the assistant principal for Evans Middle School.
The board also announced open house dates for Columbia County elementary, middle and high schools.
High schools in Columbia County will have their open houses on Thursday, July 28. Middle schools will have their open houses on Monday, Aug. 1, followed by elementary the following day. The first day of school for Columbia County is Thursday, Aug. 4.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
