SCBC set 2020 millage rate at 14.91

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners met Friday morning for its third and final public hearing regarding the proposed property tax increase; afterwards, in a Special Called meeting the board approved the property tax increase.

The commission set the tentative 2020 Millage rate at 14.91 mills, the same as last year.

According to Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers the property tax increase is due to an increase in the real estate digest; however, she stressed that the property tax increase is not an increase in the millage rate.

She adds that if the Commission decided to take the roll back it would be a $75,000 loss for the county.

Stephens County Tax Assessors’ Chief Appraiser Christen Collier explained that the property tax increase is in part due to a Rural Land Revaluation.

Collier says that close to 60 percent of Stephens County residents’ properties have no change or have decreased in value.

He adds that an additional 18 percent showed an increase of $1,000 or less.

Commissioner Michelle Ivester asked Collier how much property owners should expect to pay in taxes for each parcel.

Collier says those with the parcels that have a property value increase of $1,000 or less will see no more than a $6 increase on their bill per parcel, per year.