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Stephens County adopts FY26 millage rate after third public hearing
Summary
After a third public hearing, Stephens County commissioners adopted the FY2026 millage rate. Staff said the county's proposed M&O rates hold steady while special-district millages were lowered, producing a net decline in overall millage for both unincorporated and incorporated districts.
Stephens County commissioners on June 24 adopted the proposed fiscal year 2026 millage rate after holding a third and final public hearing.
Staff told the board the county-wide operating budget for FY26 is $41,623,134 and that the board proposes maintaining the county M&O millage at 10.38 mills for the unincorporated district and 12.62 mills for the incorporated district. Staff also detailed separate special-district millages for fiscal year 2026: solid waste 0.78 mills, emergency medical services 2.05 mills and fire services 0.74 mills, and said those special rates were lowered, resulting in an overall net millage decrease for both districts. "Residents will be paying a lesser tax rate this year than they did last year," a staff member told the meeting.
Commissioner (S7) moved to approve the proposed millage rate and Commissioner (S4) seconded; the chair called for those in favor and the motion carried.
The board made clear the county was required by state advertisement rules to publish an M&O increase even though, after separating out the special districts and applying HB 581 provisions for homesteaded properties, the net millage to most county taxpayers declines. The board said it intends to use further reassessment data next year to continue driving the M&O rate down where possible.
