SCBC will hold two public hearings for proposed property tax increase today

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners will meet today for two public hearings regarding the proposed property tax increase.

The hearings will be conducted through teleconference. Anyone wishing to attend can call-in at 425-436-6345, after calling in you’ll be prompted to input the code: 585174.

The first hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m.

As WNEG News reported, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners announced a notice of property tax increase during its recent meeting last week, the board entertained a motion to 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.

Again, the SCBC will hold two public hearings today, the first at 8:30 a.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.