The Coweta County Board of Education approved a record $166.5 million general fund budget that will keep the millage rate the same as last year’s.

The rate wull be 18.59 mills on Coweta County property taxes next year. If residents had their property reappraised this year, they will see an increase in their tax bills. The budget projects a 5.75% rise in the Coweta County tax digest, said public information officer Dean Jackson.

The school system’s budget also projects the use of up to $3.5 million in reserves to balance the budget. Jackson said last year the school system budget $3.4 million in reserves, but didn’t have to use the funds this year.

The budget adopted by the school board is an increase of $12.2 million over last year’s budget, Jackson added.

The general fund includes instructional funds, school system personnel, pupil services, school maintenance and operation, transportation and other day-to-day costs of operating the school systems.

School system comptroller Keith Chapman reported that most of this year’s increase in the school system’s operational budget is driven by personnel costs (including new teachers to keep up with student growth), step raises and a 3 percent cost-of-living raises to all employees.

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