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Cusseta–Chattahoochee Commission recommends higher proposed millage, schedules public hearings
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to recommend a proposed millage rate of 9.504 mills (an increase of 1.25 mills) and set public hearings in October; the recommendation must be finalized at a subsequent called meeting after hearings.
The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County recommended a proposed millage rate of 9.504 mills on Sept. 2, 2025, a 1.25–mill increase from the previous rate, and scheduled public hearings to give residents an opportunity to comment.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners the change would increase the county portion of property taxes by about $50 a year on a homestead property with a $100,000 fair-market value and about $25 a year on a $50,000 homestead. The commission unanimously approved a motion to recommend the proposed rate; the motion was made by Commissioner Jason Frost and seconded by Commissioner Damon Hoyte.
The commission outlined the public-hearing schedule: Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. (these were announced at the Sept. 2 meeting); at a Sept. 22 work session staff said the Department of Revenue rejected an advertisement for those dates and the hearings were rescheduled with a new advertising timeline — staff later published new hearing dates for Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 with hearings at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to comply with state notice requirements.
Why it matters: Raising the millage rate changes local property-tax bills and is subject to public hearings and a final vote. The commission’s Sept. 2 action was a recommendation to set dates and publicize the proposed rate; the board must hold the hearings and adopt a millage in a subsequent meeting for it to take effect.
What happened next: Commissioners voted unanimously on the recommendation at the Sept. 2 meeting. Staff told the commission they will re-run legally required advertising and hold the rescheduled hearings in October; a called meeting will follow for a final vote on the millage.
Details and process notes: The commission distinguished the recommendation from a final adoption; the clerk and county manager indicated the proper statutory notice requirements and Department of Revenue rules required re-advertising when publication timing was insufficient. The Sept. 22 work session recorded that the manager had to reschedule hearings because the earlier ad did not meet state standards.
