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Demorest holds public hearing on tentative 30.21% tax increase; City Manager recommends 7.16 mills
Summary
At an Oct. 15 special hearing, Demorest officials presented three millage options and a proposed 2025 budget; City Manager Mark Musselwhite recommended a 7.16-mill rate that would raise property taxes about 30.21%. Residents voiced opposition and asked questions about budget items.
Demorest officials held a public hearing Oct. 15 on a tentatively adopted millage rate that would increase property taxes by 30.21 percent and on the proposed fiscal-year 2025 budget. Mayor Jerry Harkness announced the tentative millage and invited public comment, saying, “The Demorest City Council has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 30.21% percent.”
City Manager Mark Musselwhite presented three rate options and their projected collections: 5.499 mills (estimated revenue $361,979), 6.16 mills ($405,490) and 7.16 mills ($471,317). Musselwhite told the council he recommended the 7.16-mill option. Officials estimated the proposed increase would raise property taxes on a $175,000 homestead by about $102.92 and on a nonhomestead property of the same market value by about $116.27.
Residents used the hearing to press the council on the size and impact of the increase. Marie Evans (Long Street) spoke against the roughly 30% rise. Rick Austin (Double Springs) and other citizens questioned items in the proposed 2025 budget and suggested areas for cuts. City staff answered questions item by item during the hearing.
The council scheduled additional public hearings on the millage and budget for Oct. 15 at 12:00 p.m. and Oct. 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center. No final millage or budget adoption was recorded at this meeting; the session functioned as a public hearing and information presentation.
