The Columbia County Board of Education will hold its third and final millage rate hearing Tuesday, Aug. 8.
During the second hearing on Tuesday, July 25, Columbia County School District Superintendent Dr. Steven Flynt said the advertised millage rate of 17.35 mills is the same as 2022, but the rate has not been set, so there has not been an increase.
“As the Board of Education, you are required to set a millage rate that provides for the maintenance and operation of the school district,” Flynt said while showing a history of the millage rate during the second meeting. “… the total millage has remained the same or lower since, let’s see going all the way back to 2012, that’s when we were at 17.59. In 2014 it went a mill higher, and then in 2016 was reduced to 18.3 where it remained for a number of years…The last two years you have provided a decrease in the millage. In 2021 that was decreased from 18.3 to 18.1, and then a much larger decrease last year from the 18.1 down to the 17.35. So, two years of consistent reductions of the millage rate.”
Flynt added that approximately 22% of the increase in the digest is from growth in the county. If the millage rate remains at 17.35 mills, that would equate a digest growth of $3.2 million from 2022.
During the first two public hearings, multiple members of the community spoke out asking school board members to not raise the millage rate. Several cited concerns about increases in property taxes and how that’s affecting affordability.
The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at the Board of Education, 4781 Hereford Farm Road, in Evans.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
