Bulloch County commissioners approve 2025 millage rates, vote 5-1 after public hearing

The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the countymaintenance and operations (M&O) millage at 11.35 mills for calendar year 2025 after a public hearing and discussion, with the motion passing 5-1.

The vote also set the Bulloch County Fire District M&O millage at 3 mills for areas outside the City of Statesboro, and the board recorded the Bulloch County Board of Educationrecommended M&O rate of 10.4 mills, which county staff described as a ministerial levy the commissioners must implement.

At a public hearing before the vote, Josephine Hutchins, a resident who identified herself as Josephine Hutchins, asked whether a cited example of $76.23 represented a monthly, quarterly or annual charge; County Attorney Jeff Akins responded that the figure was annual. Hutchins also asked whether recent residential and commercial building in Statesboro was factored into the tax calculations; Akins said property tax assessments are based on completed, occupiable properties and do not incorporate sales tax or projected future construction, and that reassessments are triggered under state law if values rise by a threshold ("I believe it's 10%," Akins said).

Frank Davis, a resident of 5463 Westside Road, spoke in favor of not fully rolling back the millage, saying rising costs and expanded first-responder staffing have increased county expenses. Davis also praised county financial staff, noting an award he said the county's finance office had received several times.

County Attorney Jeff Akins presented the resolution to the board and explained that the board may vote on the resolution as presented rather than on each rate separately. He said the school board's recommended rate is set by the school board and the commissioners have a ministerial duty to levy that recommendation. The board then moved and voted to approve the resolution; the chair announced, "Motion carries 5 to 1." The transcript does not record individual yes/no votes by commissioner name.

Commissioners also raised brief nonbinding matters later in the meeting: one commissioner reported receiving informal concurrence from colleagues to proceed with a proposed cell tower lease near Gateway Industrial Park and to permit the City of Statesboro to pursue annexation of county landfill property to streamline an EPD application to expand an inert landfill. The commissioner said he had heard no objections from fellow commissioners.

The board closed the public comment period by motion and later entered an executive session to discuss personnel; the chair said no action would be taken after the executive session.

Why it matters: The approved millage rates determine property tax levies for 2025 and affect homeowners and property owners across Bulloch County. The boardnoted that keeping the millage rate the same as last year can still increase an individual propertyowner's tax bill if the assessed value of that property rises.

Details: - Bulloch County M&O millage: 11.35 mills (same as prior year). - Bulloch County Fire District M&O millage: 3.0 mills (applies to county areas outside Statesboro). - Bulloch County Board of Education M&O: 10.4 mills (recommended by the school board; commissioners described levy as ministerial). - Vote on the resolution: passed 5-1; the transcript does not list individual roll-call votes for this item. - Public commenters: two residents spoke during the hearing and asked clarifying questions about assessment timing and county finances.

What the board did not decide: The meeting record shows no further amendments to the rates and no detailed line-item budget changes were adopted at this meeting. The executive session on personnel was held with the chair stating no action would be taken afterward.