Residents urge relief as Stephens County officials explain limits on cutting FY26 millage rate
Summary
Residents told Stephens County officials they are reducing household services because of alarming tax notices; commissioners said they reduced the millage but could not fully offset increases while House Bill 581 and other levies remain uncertain.
A resident told the Stephens County board they are "cutting services at my house right now on things that I can do without that I've been used to," urging the board to do more to reduce the proposed fiscal year 2026 millage rate.
Board members acknowledged the hardship and said they had lowered the millage rate but could not fully anticipate the effect of recently mailed assessment notices because of uncertainty tied to House Bill 581 and separate levies such as school board taxes. The chair said estimates residents received may not accurately reflect the final amount homeowners will pay.
"For years, we operated with low property values and a higher millage rate," Commissioner Rickman said, outlining the board's longer-term strategy. "We're trying to turn that strategy around where you have higher property values and you continue every year to drive the millage rate down because it's much better to manage a budget by adjusting the millage rate than trying to fluctuate property values."
Officials repeatedly emphasized that homestead protections and other jurisdictions' levies — notably school board and special district taxes — influence final bills and are outside the county board's direct control. The board encouraged residents to provide feedback, call, or email staff with questions and announced an additional meeting that evening at 6 p.m.
The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn was made and the chair called for a voice vote.
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