For first time since 2001, Fayette County decides to raise rate; increased assessments mean higher tax bills

Fayette taxpayers — inside cities and out in the unincorporated areas — are facing a barrage of increased taxes this fall, courtesy of all five local governments, from city councils to school board.

Local governments headed toward either no rollbacks of tax rates or actual rate increases include the Fayette County Board of Education, Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone and — for the first time in six years — Fayette County.

When residents in unincorporated Fayette County get their tax bills this fall, they will notice a slight tax increase.

The Fayette County Commission will stage its second public hearing on millage rates this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Fayette County Administrative Complex on Stonewall Avenue.

The millage rate for maintenance and operations is 5.43 mills, while last year’s rate was 4.88 mills.

The only way to avoid an increase in the taxes on most Fayette homes would be to roll back the tax rates to compensate for the increased value of the homes. During budget hearings, county officials said they could not fund this year’s budget by doing a rollback.

This will be the first time since 2001 that the rates have not been rolled back to account for reassessments.

The commission has added three new members in the past 18 months: Robert Horgan, Eric Maxwell and Chairman Jack Smith, all Republicans.

Residents in the unincorporated county, Brooks, Tyrone and Fayetteville will also notice another change on their tax bill. The county is now charging .55 mills for an EMS tax district.

During budget discussions, the county agreed not to charge Peachtree City for EMS services any longer, since the city provides those services. Because of the lack of funds coming from Peachtree City, residents in the rest of the county will now pay an EMS tax.

During last Thursday’s first public hearing on the tax increase, Finance Director Mary Holland showed the commissioners what various tax bills would look like for different sections of the county. Holland also explained the county was using insurance premiums this year to decrease the fire millage rate from 2.906 to 2.0 mills.

In Peachtree City, the county’s portion of the tax bill will drop from $381.36 in 2006 to $376.98 for a $206,000 home.

In Fayetteville, residents will see their county taxes increased $38.19 because of the EMS tax, while Brooks and Tyrone will see a decrease of $17.71. In the unincorporated county, residents will see their bills increase by $36.15 on a $206,000 home.