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Whitfield County holds public hearing on millage options; decision delayed to evening meeting
Summary
County staff reviewed M&O millage history, revenue declines and rising costs and presented four millage options and a new $325,000 senior homestead exemption. The commission heard public comment but did not set a final rate at this afternoon—s hearing; formal action was scheduled for 6 p.m.
Whitfield County officials held a special-called public hearing Friday afternoon to review options for the county—s maintenance-and-operations (M&O) property millage rate and to hear public comment. County staff reviewed millage history, recent revenue trends and cost pressures and presented four millage-rate options; no final vote was taken at the afternoon session.
County staff told residents the county—s millage rate peaked near 9.56 around 2016 and that the commission has reduced the rate five times in recent years, including a required second millage action in one year. Staff said county-collected property-tax dollars fell from about $24.2 million in 2016 to roughly $19.85 million in the most recent year, a decline of about 18% in nominal dollars.
Staff cited personnel costs as the largest budget driver. "Salaries and benefits make up 68% of our budget," the county presenter said, and…
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