Rockdale County sets 2025 millage at 18.284, returns host penny to taxpayers

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners voted to set the 2025 millage rate at the rollback figure of 18.284 and adopt a resolution that applies a 50.29% host percentage, commissioners and staff said at a called meeting.

Interim finance director Sue Sanders presented the proposal and the budget context. "The proposed millage for 2025 is 18.284, which is a millage reduction," Sanders said during the presentation, and she estimated property-tax revenue under that rate at $91,030,520 and nonproperty revenues at $38,147,777 for total 2025 revenues of about $129,178,297.

Sanders outlined how the county plans to allocate general fund dollars in 2025: 42% to public safety (including the sheriff's office, fire-rescue, animal services and emergency medical services), 37% to general government functions, 10% to court services and smaller shares for recreation and transportation. She also presented sample tax calculations showing that a home assessed at $100,000 with homestead and host exemptions would have an estimated 2025 tax bill of about $227; without exemptions she said the estimate would be roughly $731.

Commissioners and staff explained the timing and fiscal constraints behind the rollback decision. Sanders said the county must set taxes for the 2025 tax year in advance of fall collections and must budget for 2026 costs including pay-plan changes and a full-year cost for a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment that was funded from contingency this year. She also noted that House Bill 85 will increase judicial costs and must be factored into next year's budget.

Before the vote, resident Nick Duva urged the board to treat taxes as an "investment in our community" and requested a joint meeting with the school system and the tax assessor to clarify the combined effect of separate millage decisions. "I look at it as an investment in our community," Duva said.

A commissioner moved to set the millage at 18.284, set the 2025 host percentage at 50.29% and adopt the resolution as presented; another commissioner seconded the motion. After brief discussion about ongoing efforts to find cost savings, the chair called for a voice vote. "All in favor, say 'aye,'" the chair said; commissioners answered "Aye" and the chair announced the motion carried. County staff said that because the board adopted the rollback rate, no additional public hearings were required and the tax commissioner's office will submit the millage to the state.

Commissioners encouraged residents to "shop in Rockdale" to support local businesses and boost sales-tax receipts used in the host calculation. The board closed by thanking staff and adjourning the meeting.