Canton holds millage- and budget hearings as county fire millage options could raise costs to homeowners

Canton finance staff presented the proposed FY2027 millage-rate process and the tentative budget at a public hearing on July 16, 2026, saying the city’s tax digest for tax year 2026 is roughly $750 million and noting that property taxes provide about 42% of general-fund revenue.

Finance presenter Luckett said the county has proposed four options for its fire millage — including a rollback rate and higher accreditation-minimum and cautious rates — and that the county’s proposals could add the equivalent of about 0.149 to 0.174 mills to the city’s cost if Canton chose to match a county increase. Luckett said that a quarter-mill pass-through would increase the city’s millage by approximately that amount and translate to an average homeowner impact he estimated at about $24 to $28; higher county options could mean $30–$45 or more depending on final county action. Luckett said no county decision had been made and that the county planned additional hearings July 21 and Aug. 4; Canton’s adoption vote is scheduled for Aug. 6.

During the hearing resident Thomas Weaver spoke in support of prudent fiscal management and urged council to take steps now to offset future millage increases rather than relying on reserves. Multiple council members pressed staff for scenario analyses showing what services or positions would be affected if the council chose to avoid a millage increase and instead find cuts in the general fund. Luckett said the proposed FY2027 budget already uses about $2.5 million of reserves above the city’s policy minimum and that identifying deeper recurring savings would be a policy decision for council.

Council members also sought clarification about senior homestead exemptions: staff explained the city’s senior exemption (automatic at age 62 if filed by April 1) differs from age-restricted housing products (commonly 55+), and members asked staff to provide a 2–3 year outlook on developments in the pipeline that could increase exempt parcels.

Luckett also reviewed budget highlights: all-funds spending of about $98.3 million, a general fund of roughly $32.6 million, capital investments near $35 million and a water and sewer fund proposed at $26.2 million that includes a 2.5% user-rate increase and projects such as the Ridge Pine elevated tank. Staff said the budget assumes the current millage of 5.25 and that the council will revisit adoption on Aug. 6 after county decisions.

No final tax-rate adoption occurred July 16. Council directed staff to return with more detailed cut scenarios, pipeline data on age-restricted developments and continued monitoring of the county’s public hearings.