The Douglas County Board of Commissioners is set to maintain the status quo when it comes to property taxes, looking at keeping the millage rate at 12.313 mills for the upcoming year. This decision comes after a decrease last year from 12.563 mills. However, this hold on the rate might not be as simple as it seems. According to a Douglas County official statement, due to increased property values, sustaining the current rate would result in a 1.92 percent tax increase for property owners.
Under Georgia law, when taxable properties see a rise in value, a rollback millage rate is supposed to be calculated so as to generate the same revenue as the previous year, barring any reassessments. Keeping the rate steady might seem innocuous but the increased property values mean the average homeowner could see roughly a $23 hike in their taxes, assuming a $250,000 home without a homestead exemption. For those with the exemption, the likely increase sits around $22.
The BOC, while not actively pursuing a tax increase, seems poised to allow one through the back door via assessed property value inflation. To dissect this issue openly, the Commissioners have announced a series of public hearings. The first of these will be held on Tuesday, August 20, at 10 AM, with another session following at 6 PM the same day, and a final hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, at 10 AM. All are to convene at the Douglas County Courthouse.
