Stonecrest opens hearing on proposed 2026 millage of 1.257 mills; officials say reassessments drove advertised increase

The Stonecrest City Council on Monday opened a public hearing on a proposed 2026 millage rate of 1.257 mills and heard from city finance staff who said the figure matches recent years but exceeds the statutory rollback rate, which triggers additional notice requirements.

Eric Hawkins, the city’s revenue manager, told the council the city is proposing to maintain a millage rate of 1.257. “The city of Stone Crest is proposing ... a millage rate of 1.257 that exceeds the roll back rate,” Hawkins said, adding that the city completed state-required advertisements and will publish a five‑year levy history and hold the required hearings.

Why it matters: Even when a municipality keeps the same millage rate, homeowners can see higher bills if county reassessments raise assessed values. Hawkins said property taxes account for roughly 15% of the city’s annual revenues and that digest growth — from reassessments or new development — can increase revenue without a change in the city rate.

Hawkins provided figures from the published notice, saying there are 11,365 homestead properties with an average fair market value of $300,000. Using that average, he gave an example of the effect on a typical bill: “So if your home is valued at 300,000, you can expect to see a tax increase on the bill for $3.75,” Hawkins said.

Council members asked staff to clarify wording in the notice that some read as implying the city was committing to a rate for the next five years. Councilman George Turner said, “I got the impression that for the next five years the mill rate is going to be 1.257,” and Hawkins and other staff clarified the language is intended to show a five‑year history and not to lock in a future multi‑year rate.

Hawkins emphasized that reassessments and the county tax digest determine individual bill changes: reassessments are performed by the county assessor’s office and the rollback rate is computed by the tax commissioner’s office, he said. He also noted that residents who object to their assessed values have appeal rights through the county process.

Procedural outcome: Councilman George Turner moved to open the public hearing and the clerk recorded the motion as carrying “three to one with one absent.” The clerk later recorded that the motion to close the hearing, moved by Turner and seconded by Councilwoman Kamisha Smith, also carried “three to one with one absent.” No members of the public addressed the council during the hearing.

Next steps: Staff said property tax bills residents will receive in 2027 will reflect the 2026 tax year after any final action on the millage rate. The council did not take a final vote to adopt the millage rate during the special call meeting; the public‑hearing record will be part of the statutory process for any subsequent adoption vote.