The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved rolling back the millage rate to its lowest point in more than three decades at Tuesday’s meeting
This is the sixth time in the last seven years the Columbia County Board of Commissioners has rolled back the millage rate, according to County Manger Scott Johnson.
The county 2022 millage rate will now stand at 5.147. This marks the lowest the millage rate has been in Columbia County since 1989.
“We are at a 33-year low for a millage rate for Columbia County, which is really unheard of,” Johnson said.
The overall millage rate is 8.618, which includes 2.788 mills that will be used entirely for providing fire protection services in the special service district.
MORE: Columbia County Board of Education approves to lower millage rate
“This year I think people will see a reduction in their taxes or maybe stay close to where it was, although some people are seeing $20,000-$50,000 increases in their property values,” Johnson said.
Johnson explained that the Columbia County Board of Comissioners has nothing to do with property values.
“This board of commissioners has nothing to do with raising values on a home. The way that is done is an independent board of assessors, and the tax assessors are responsible that,” Johnson said. “If people’s values are going up exponentially, it’s because sales in your neighborhood are that much more than they use to be. Two years ago, Columbia County was named the number one place to live in America, and there are people now getting into bidding wars on houses and paying above asking price because they want to live in Columbia County.”
The commission also approved a $569,000 bid for installation of Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
