The Columbia County Board of Commissioners held its first of three public hearings on Aug. 1 regarding the 2023 millage rate.
County Manager Scott Johnson told commissioners the county has seen an increase in values, and for the last few years the millage rate has been rolled back. For 2023, the county is proposing to roll back the rate to 4.895 mills from 5.1467. This rate is a .25 rollback, which is halfway to the full rollback rate of 4.642 mills.
Johnson stated the county wants to continue to roll back the millage rate, but to continue providing the level of service that Columbia County offers, the county needs to be careful with how far rolled back the millage rate is.
Also mentioned was the Property Tax Relief Grant that Gov. Brian Kemp signed earlier this year that applies to properties that have the homestead exemption. This grant could help lessen property tax bills.
Two community members spoke at the hearing asking commissioners to roll back the millage rate to the full rollback rate. One citizen voiced concerns that the government using the extra money brought in and then needing more money again.
“So we don’t need it, I say just roll it back to the maximum because there’s still going to be an increase in the budget,” said one citizen.
Board chair Doug Duncan said the intent of the board is to roll back the millage rate, the question is just how far.
“We get your point… the government spends what it gets,” Duncan said. “I will say, Columbia County does a really good job, we don’t spend everything that we get.”
The hearings for the Columbia County millage rate will be Aug. 8 at 8:30 a.m. and Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. The millage rate will be set after the Aug. 15 hearing. All three hearings will take place in the auditorium at the Evans Government Center.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
