Commission recommends 9.504 mills proposed rate, reschedules public hearings

The Cusseta–Chattahoochee Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 2 to recommend a proposed millage rate of 9.504 mills for the coming year, an increase of 1.25 mills from the previous rate of 8.254. The motion to recommend the proposed rate carried unanimously.

County Manager Thomas Weaver explained the effect on typical property-tax bills: using the county’s illustrative example, a homestead property with a fair-market value of $100,000 would see an estimated increase of about $50 per year; a non-homestead property assessed at $50,000 would see an estimated increase of about $25 per year. The manager emphasized the board was recommending dates for the proposed-rate public hearings rather than formally setting the millage at the meeting.

The commission originally scheduled public hearings for Sept. 17 (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and Sept. 24 (6 p.m.) and planned a called meeting on Sept. 24 for a final vote immediately after the hearing. In a later Sept. 22 work session, the manager reported the advertising notice was not run for the legally required duration; as a result, the hearings were rescheduled to Oct. 1 (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and Oct. 8 (10 a.m.).

Why it matters: The recommended increase would raise county property-tax revenue if the board later adopts it; the hearings offer the public an opportunity to comment ahead of a final board vote. The record shows the board treated the item as a recommendation of proposed rates and scheduled public hearings prior to formal adoption.

Quote: When Chairman Coffey asked about the household impact, County Manager Weaver replied, “yes sir” after noting the roughly $50/year illustration for a $100,000 homestead property.

Provenance: Motion to recommend proposed millage recorded in regular meeting minutes (motion by Commissioner Frost, second by Commissioner Hoyte, vote unanimous); rescheduling of hearings recorded in Sept. 22 work session minutes.