Residents of Austell are facing a significant jump in property tax rates following recent city council decisions. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that, in a 5-1 vote, the Austell City Council approved a property tax rate increase from 3.25 to 8.25 mills, marking a hike of more than 150%. This decision also introduces an additional 2 mills tax specifically for fire protection services.
For a home valued at the city average of $300,000, the changes represent nearly $600 more per year in city taxes, or about $50 more per month for owners with a homestead exemption, according to Finance Director Rachel Yarbrough of Austell. The substantial increase comes after a period of relative stability in Austell's tax rates, which had previously maintained the lowest property tax in Cobb County.
Fiscal challenges are at the heart of this adjustment. The city's operating budget, which rounds up to $12.7 million, has been under strain due to a reliance on its natural gas utility for over half the city's revenue—sales from which fell short last year, contributing to a $1.6 million deficit. As reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, officials have cited these financial pressures as the primary driver for the tax hike. Deficits led to tapping into reserve funds to balance the budget, further underscoring the need for the increase.
The pushback from the community is palpable, with voices like Lance Lamberton, the chairperson of the Cobb Taxpayers Association, amongst the most vocal. "There’s obviously a terrible fiscal mismanagement going on in Austell, and this is outrageous," Lamberton told Atlanta News First. "It’s going to cause a great deal of suffering and pain on the part of the taxpayers." Despite the outcry, the measure passed with all but Councilmember Meredith Adams voting in favor, who has emphasized the role of a supposed mismanaged city budget and a long stint without changes in the millage rate.
