Ocilla mayor proposes 18.95 millage rate; resident raises concern about heavy trucks damaging roads

Mayor Melvin D. Harper II opened a Sept. 30 public hearing in Ocilla to receive public comment on a proposed combined millage rate of 18.95 mills, saying everything had been properly advertised.

Chief Finance Officer Paula Ball told the council the proposed split would be 18.00 mills for the City of Ocilla and 0.95 mills for the Industrial Development Authority and reviewed a five‑year history. Ball said the proposal would yield total collections of $1,021,215, with $970,019 to the city and $51,195 to the authority; she told the council that 18 mills represents an increase of about $13,000 over last year, or roughly 1.01 percent.

During public comment, resident Waymon Harris said he was concerned about the increase and asked what the additional revenue would be used for. "We have big trucks coming through the community that needs to be stopped because it is destroying the road," Harris said. The comment linked the tax discussion to local infrastructure concerns rather than general city operations.

Mayor Harper responded that he would investigate the truck traffic complaint and bring the matter to a Regular Monthly meeting for further discussion. He also reiterated that the proposed change would raise about $13,000 and said the city was ensuring it had enough funds to operate after problems last year.

No vote or formal action on the millage was taken at the hearing; the mayor adjourned the meeting after the comments. The council may address the millage at a subsequent regular meeting where formal action would be taken if members move forward.