Statesboro council keeps property millage at 8.625; staff cites employee pay and public safety costs

The Statesboro City Council voted to maintain the city’s property-tax millage at 8.625 for the 2026 fiscal year. Finance and budget staff presented highlights showing the general fund increase in personnel spending and explained why retaining the current rate was recommended.

Finance staff explained the FY2026 total budget decreased compared with FY2025 largely because prior ARPA funds and one-time reimbursements are not repeated; however, the general fund rose to support compensation and benefits. Staff said the council’s January 2024 pay plan cost roughly $2.3 million and was intended to address labor-market pressures that had left vacancies in public-safety positions. The presentation said police vacancies have been eliminated and the department is currently overhired by three positions.

Staff described how assessed-value exemptions (examples: city-owned property, schools, churches and Georgia Southern University) reduce the taxable base; they also showed comparative millage impacts for county and school levies. Using a $250,000 market-valued home as an example, staff said the taxable value after the 40% assessment and a $2,000 homestead exemption would be $98,000 and the city portion of taxes at 8.625 mills would be $845.25 annually; maintaining the rate was presented as resulting in a $66.25 increase for that midpoint example.

Council opened and closed the public hearing on the millage rate and then voted to maintain 8.625. The action is a routine annual determination but staff emphasized it supports retention and recruitment of employees and public-safety priorities.