Cherokee County to advertise 5.307 mills as the maximum M&O rate for 2025

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on June 17 to advertise 5.307 mills as the highest M&O millage rate they will consider for 2025.

Board members said the advertised rate preserves flexibility in budget talks between the present meeting and the date scheduled for adopting the final millage. Staff had presented options discussed in a work session that would use varying amounts of reserves; advertising a higher rate reduces the need to draw on reserves but does not automatically adopt a higher tax. Commissioners emphasized the advertised figure is the maximum they may consider and that the final adopted rate could be lower.

Commissioner Ragsdale moved to advertise 5.307 mills; Commissioner Carter seconded. The board voted “aye” and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioners noted that homesteaded property owners who have their homestead exemption may see little or no tax increase tied to assessed value changes; an estimate referenced in the meeting noted a 6.8% advertised increase across the board but smaller effects for homesteaded homeowners because of assessment rules.

Ending: Staff will proceed to publish notice advertising 5.307 mills as the highest county M&O rate to comply with the millage-setting schedule; the actual adopted rate will be set later in the budget process.