Friday, October 11, 2002
|
Friday, October 11, 2002 |
|
Property tax rates to be set next week By JOHN
THOMPSON
The county's property taxpayers will have a better idea of this year's tax bills after two boards set millage rates next week. The Coweta County Board of Education is expected to give approval Monday to a 17.94 millage rate, which is .73 mils higher than last year. According to local realtors, the average value of a home in Coweta County is approximately $150,000, and 17.94 mills in ad valorem taxes would result in a tax bill (not including any exemptions) of $1,079 for such a home. With a net increase proposed of .73 mills, that means that this year's average household in Coweta County would see a net increase of $43.80 on their tax bill, or $3.65 per month when broken down that way.. School officials said the board is also faced with the concern that the current poor economic conditions could remain the same or even worsen next year. These economic trends, coupled with the continuing high rate of student population growth, are the reasons the board is proposing 17.94 mills for Maintenance and Operation and 0.00 mills for Debt Service for a total millage of 17.94. The board held hearings on the tax increase this week, but less than 20 citizens showed up at the two hearings. But just barely two miles away from the Board of Education headquarters, the Coweta County Commission plans to lower the millage rate for property owners in the county for the 10th consecutive year on Tuesday. The county is expected to officially drop the rate from 5.02 mills to 5 mills for residents in the incorporated county and from 4.26 mills to 3.93 mills for unincorporated residents at its Oct.15 meeting.. Commissioner Robert Wood said the tax cutting began in 1992 when he was voted into office, along with Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter. "We were presented with a deficit budget and would not accept it," he said. Commissioner Lawrence Nelms also made it clear the county has nothing to do with the school system's millage rate. The tax rate is expected to be set at 6 p.m. Oct. 15.
|
||