Residents in the older historic section of Senoia may see a tax increase when the tax bills roll into the mail this fall.

This week, the City Council held public hearings to keep the millage rate at 6.11 mills, which is the same rate the city set in 2006 and 2007. But since reassessments were conducted in the older part of town, those residents will see a tax hike.

“I know my property hasn’t been reassessed since 1997 and it went up 60 percent,” said Mayor Robert Belisle.

The city’s tax digest grew from $97.2 million in 2007 to nearly $111 million in 2008, for a 14.4 percent growth rate. City administrator Richard Ferry said the majority of the growth occurred through annexations and new construction, with only $2.2 million due to reassessments.

Councilman Larry Owens said he had not received a reassessment notice, and Belisle reiterated that he would not see a tax increase this year.

Last year, the city levied $593,974 in city taxes and is expected to collect $678,144 this year, which amounts to a 14 percent increase in revenues.

The final approval of the millage rate is slated for the August 4 City Council meeting.

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