In a special called meeting Thursday, the City Council lowered the tax rate from last year's 3.83 mills to 3.52 mills, a reduction of .31 mills.

Less than an hour later, the Fayette County Commission approved a 1998-99 tax rate of 6.35 for residents of cities and 5.21 for those who live in unincorporated areas.

The city rate is .36 mills lower than last year's 6.71 mills, so Fayetteville residents will see a total reduction of .67 mills.

The new rates will result in a savings of about $25 for the owner of a $100,000 home, but don't be surprised if your tax bill is actually the same as last year's or higher. A county-wide reassessment of property values has increased the taxable value of most homes, so the new lower millage rates will be applied to new higher values.

*You can comment on Fayette County and Atlanta regional transportation issues at a forum Oct. 16 in the community meeting room at Fayette Community Hospital.

It's one of two such forums scheduled jointly by the Chamber of Commerce's transportation and governmental affairs committees.