Harris County residents push back at public hearing on proposed 18.5‑mill school tax

HAMILTON, Ga. — Residents packed the Harris County School District auditorium on Aug. 14 to oppose a tentatively adopted school millage rate of 18.5 mills and to press the board for alternatives to property‑tax increases.

The Harris County Board of Education held a public hearing required by state law after the board announced a tentative millage rate of 18.5 mills, which the board said represents a 15.44% increase over the rollback rate (reported by the district as 16.025 mills). District staff gave examples of the tax impact, saying the increase would add about $320 in annual property taxes for a home with a fair market value of $400,000 and about $200 for a non‑homesteaded property assessed at $250,000.

The hearing drew multiple speakers who said the combined effect of recent county property reassessments and the proposed millage increase would be unaffordable for residents on fixed incomes and for younger families trying to buy homes in Harris County. Several speakers asked the board to pause or reject the rate and to pursue other revenue or cost‑control measures.

“It has become a terrible burden to the property owners for the taxes that the school board is placing on us,” said Joyce Bart, a Hamilton resident. “We need to seek other alternative ways instead of just the taxpayer.”

Why it matters

Public comment highlighted two linked pressures: (1) widespread reassessments in the county that in some cases sharply raised assessed values this year, and (2) district and state cost increases that…