Jackson County sets tentative millage rate at 7.945; first budget hearing set for Sept. 9

Jackson County’s Board of County Commissioners voted to set the proposed tentative millage rate at 7.945 and to advertise that rate as a tax increase; the board also scheduled the first public budget hearing for Sept. 9. The action came during a budget workshop where staff presented a draft balanced budget that relies on roughly $1,200,000 in carryover funds.

County staff said higher property values mean the same millage rate will generate additional revenue; commissioners discussed estimates mentioned in the meeting ranging from about $707,100 to $764,229 in additional tax revenue tied to the higher assessed values. The staff presentation noted that state rules require the county to advertise the tentative rate as a tax increase when assessed values cause higher revenue even if the millage rate itself does not change.

Commissioners and staff discussed related budget assumptions, including that the draft does not yet include most capital improvement projects and that staff will reconvene near September to finalize special projects after a clearer picture of carryover funds. Staff also reported ongoing FEMA reimbursement work and noted an amounts set aside for possible repayments related to prior storm projects; the board said the money set aside would not come out of the operating budget if repayment is required.

Discussion during the meeting touched on how property appraisals and the homestead cap affect taxable values. Commissioners and staff reported that homestead assessments are limited by state rules (discussed during the meeting as a 3% cap on homestead increases) while commercial and newly sold properties may be revalued at higher amounts and trigger higher tax collections for the county even with an unchanged millage rate.

The motion to set the tentative millage at 7.945 was put forward during the workshop and carried by the board; staff said the rate must be advertised as a tax increase under state rules and that the board cannot increase the tentative rate after it is advertised but can lower it before final adoption.

Less critical details discussed included the county’s ongoing FEMA claims work, the timing of a special meeting to identify capital purchases, and staff guidance to departments to postpone nonessential purchases starting Sept. 1 while carryover projections are finalized.