Residents of Newton County are facing a potential increase in their property tax bills following an announcement by the Newton County Board of Commissioners. The board has proposed a 10.31% increase in the property tax levy for 2025 over the rollback millage rate, as revealed on the county's official website. The proposed hike comes on the heels of annual assessments conducted by the Board of Tax Assessors, which are mandated to adjust property values and assessments in line with the prevailing market conditions.
The law requires that whenever property values go up, the tax assessors must reassess them to ensure tax bills reflect the fair market value. Georgia law also prescribes that a rollback millage rate be calculated to generate the same revenue as the previous year, barring any reassessments. But this year, the proposed budget by Newton's commissioners is slated to exceed the rollback rate which necessitate an increase to meet the budget demands.
In accordance with Georgian law, three public hearings will be held to discuss this tax increase. These hearings present an opportunity for the public to voice their opinions and engage with their elected officials regarding the proposed millage rate hike. According to the county's announcement, the hearings will take place at the Boardroom of the Newton County Historic Courthouse, located at 1124 Clark Street, Covington, Georgia. The sessions are scheduled for July 29, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and on August 5, at 6:30 p.m.
