Franklin Co. Holds Public Hearing on FY 16 Budget

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

It was another low turnout Tuesday at a public hearing in Franklin County prior to the county commission passing its Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

Only two citizens showed up to the Franklin County Justice Center in Carnesville Tuesday to comment on Franklin County’s plan to increase next year’s budget and raise property taxes.

Franklin County Manager Beth Thomas is proposing a weighted millage increase whereby those living in unincorporated parts of Franklin County would have their property taxes raised 2.9 mills and those in Franklin County’s municipalities would have their millage rate raised by 1.8 mills.

Resident Charles Johnson told Franklin County Commission Chair Thomas Bridges that the plan is not fair and equal for all of the people in Franklin County.

Johnson said that every property owner in Franklin County should pay the same amount.

Additionally, he said many living in unincorporated parts of Franklin County are on fixed incomes and could not afford such a huge tax increase.

Franklin County Commissioners are expected to vote on the Fiscal Year 2016 budget on June 30, as the new fiscal year starts on July 1.