The Coweta County Commission continued the trend of tax increases on the growing southside as it approved a one mill increase last week for unincorporated residents.

The millage increase, from 6.15 mills to 7.15 mills, marks the second consecutive year the county has raised the rate by a full mill. Residents in the incorporated county will see their millage rate rise from 6.74 mills to 7.76 mills.

Late last week, the Coweta County Board of Education did not rollback their millage rate. (See related story). Senoia is also not planning on a millage rollback. All the municipal governments in neighboring Fayette County did not rollback the rate or increased the rate.

Coweta officials estimate the increase for the owner of a $200,000 home would be $80 a year. In evaluating this year’s budget, the county’s government leaders have maintained the increase is necessary to serve the county’s rapidly-expanding population. With new libraries being built and current libraries being upgraded, officials said maintenance and operation will be $1 million per year, or 29 percent of one mill. The county is also funding community center operations at the new Clay-Wood Center and Welcome Community Center, along with increasing support for Pathways Mental Health program and increasing the employee training program.

Officials also said the millage rate increase is comparable to other fast-growing counties in the region.

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