Chatham County holds public hearings for Taxpayer Bill of Rights compliance

The Millage Rate Public Hearing #1 took place on June 17, 2025, at 11 AM, as part of a series of discussions regarding the millage rate in Chatham County, Georgia. The primary focus of this meeting was to address the requirements set forth by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which mandates that any millage rate exceeding the rollback rate must be publicly advertised as a tax increase.

During the hearing, officials clarified that the district is not seeking to raise the millage rate this year. However, since the proposed rate exceeds the rollback rate, it triggers a series of public notification requirements. These include the necessity for three public hearings, a press release, and public notices in local newspapers. The next two hearings are scheduled for later that evening at 6 PM and the following Wednesday, June 25, at 6 PM.

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, enacted by the Georgia General Assembly in 1999, aims to prevent what is known as "backdoor tax increases." This legislation, along with rules developed by the Georgia Department of Revenue, establishes a process that local government jurisdictions must follow to ensure transparency regarding property tax increases. The bill enhances property owners' rights, allowing them to object and appeal increases in their property's appraised value.

According to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, local taxing jurisdictions are required to roll back or reduce their millage rates annually to counteract inflationary increases in property values. If a governing authority chooses to set a millage rate higher than the rollback rate, they must adhere to the public notification process outlined in the legislation.

The Chatham County Board of Assessors is responsible for establishing the taxable value of all properties within the county and publishes the certified tax digest for each taxing jurisdiction. The board of education operates under two separate taxing jurisdictions, resulting in two distinct tax millage rates determined by the board. Taxable values are categorized into six types of property: real property, personal property, vehicles, mobile homes, timber, and heavy-duty equipment.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the upcoming public hearings, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in the decision-making process regarding property taxes.