Kennesaw council certifies estimated rollback rate at 7.75 mills for 2025

The Kennesaw City Council on Monday voted unanimously to certify an estimated rollback rate of 7.75 mills for the 2025 property tax notice of assessment, a staff recommendation intended to give taxpayers an early, conservative preview of the city’s anticipated M&O millage.

Jennifer Gordy, a staff member presenting the item, told the council that the estimated rollback rate is a recent statutory concept and recommended certifying the city’s current adopted M&O millage of 7.75 "to provide our taxpayers with the most accurate notice of assessment." She told the council the concept was created by House Bill 581 and later revised by House Bill 92.

The council adopted the estimate on a motion by Council Member Byers, seconded by Council Member Jones, with a 5-0 vote. Council members and staff stressed that the certification is an estimate and that the council will set the final millage rate at a later meeting. The formal adoption of the city’s millage rate is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2025, according to the staff presentation.

Why it matters: House Bill 581 and House Bill 92 established the estimated rollback rate and added a certification deadline for local governments this year; guidance from ACCG and GMA advised conservative estimates because budget discussions and the 2025 digest were not yet complete. Gordy also noted that the estimated rollback rate requirement does not apply to the bond millage rate.

Council discussion was limited. A council member identified as Pat emphasized that the certified rate is only an estimate and said the council will revisit the rollback when it sets the actual rate later this summer. There were no amendments to the motion.

The council’s action formally instructs staff to include the 7.75 estimated rollback rate on taxpayer notices; the adoption of any final millage and any adjustments to that figure will occur at the August meeting.