SCBC approves millage rate for county, school system

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners has approved the 2022 Tax Levy Resolution for Stephens County Government.

During a special called meeting on Thursday, the Board unanimously approved setting the millage rate at 14.05 mills. This is the rollback rate.

Originally, the Board of Commissioners had proposed leaving the millage rate, at 14.76 mills, the same as 2021; however, that would have been considered a property tax increase due to property valuations increasing by 8 percent.

During the first two public hearings, several residents came forward to speak out against the tax increase. This outcry from residents pushed the Board of Commissioners to adjust the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget in order for the county to adjust the proposed millage rate.

On Thursday, July 21, the Commission met and approved several budget amendments to adjust for the rollback rate.

Each Commissioner provided their ideas for how to reduce the budget in order to accept a rollback millage rate rather than the proposed property tax increase.

Commissioner Dean Scarborough recommended they reduce every department by ¾ of a percent.

Commissioner Debbie Whitlock and Vice Chair Dennis Bell recommended they adjust two of the capital improvement projects: the Investigator Building and E911 Communication Upgrades. Ultimately, the commission decided to take $250,000 from each of those projects to satisfy the amount the property tax increase would have brought in for the county.

Additionally, the Board of Commissioners approved the millage rate recommended by the Stephens County Board of Education.

Last week, the Board of Education recommended the millage rate for 2022 be set at 15.72 mills, which is the rollback rate.

During Thursday’s Commissioners meeting, the Board unanimously approved that millage rate.