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Roswell holds special hearing on 4.949 millage rate; resident asks about rollback option
Summary
The City of Roswell held a special called public hearing Sept. 15 on a proposed millage rate of 4.949 for tax year 2025. A resident asked whether the city will adopt a rollback rate to offset tax increases tied to rising home values; city staff provided an example and council explained the legal hearing requirement and its policy goals.
The City of Roswell held a special called public hearing on Sept. 15 to discuss the millage rate for tax year 2025, a proposed rate of 4.949. Mayor Curt Wilson opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and City Clerk Nancy Long read the item for the record.
The hearing drew one public speaker, Daryl O'Hare, who asked whether the city would adopt a rollback millage rate to keep total property tax bills from rising as home values increase. “I understand that it's not increasing. However, property taxes are increasing because the value of our homes are going up,” O'Hare said, adding that rising household costs make any additional tax burden concerning for middle-class homeowners.
Chief Financial Officer Bill Godshall responded with a numerical example for context. Using a $550,000 fair-market-value home, he said the assessed value in the example would be $220,000 and that at the 4.949 millage rate that would result in property taxes of approximately $1,089 per year (before exemptions). He said using the city’s rollback rate — about 4.658 — would reduce that example homeowner’s bill by roughly $69 per year, according to his presentation to the council.
Council members and city staff discussed the difference between keeping the millage rate the same and adopting a rollback rate. Mayor Curt Wilson and other council members noted that keeping the millage rate at 4.949 does not prevent taxes paid by homeowners from rising if assessed values increase. Council members emphasized economic development as a long-term strategy to reduce reliance on residential property taxes: one council member said one mill of tax levy is worth about $7 million to the city and that planned economic development projects could offset residential tax burdens.
Council member David Johnson explained why the meeting was held as a special call: under state law, when the city does not roll back the millage rate the municipality must hold three public hearings, and one hearing must begin between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Johnson said this meeting satisfied that legal requirement.
No formal vote or action was taken at the hearing; it was a statutorily required opportunity for public comment and for staff to present information. City officials said the current proposal is to keep the millage rate at 4.949 for tax year 2025. The council noted that the city has rolled back its rate in two of the last three years and that reducing or eliminating residential property tax remains a stated goal tied to economic development and revenue diversification efforts.
The special called public hearing was adjourned after the public comment and Q&A portion concluded.
