UPDATE: Macon-Bibb Commission approves fifth straight property tax millage rate reduction

Miller proposed a new millage rate of 9.575, a reduction of 0.325 from last year and a decline of 10.756 mills since he took office.

UPDATE (8/19/25): The Macon-Bibb County Commission voted Tuesday to approve Mayor Lester Miller’s recommendation to reduce the property tax millage rate for the fifth consecutive year.

The new rate is 9.575, down 0.325 from last year and 10.756 since Miller took office.

County officials said the reduction comes even as the overall budget has grown from $174 million in 2022 to $219.8 million this year, with property tax collections dropping from $80.8 million to $54.7 million.

ORIGINAL STORY (8/11/25):

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller is recommending a fifth consecutive reduction in the county’s property tax millage rate, a move officials say will lower taxes while still increasing funding for public safety, technology, beautification and recreation.

Miller proposed a new millage rate of 9.575, a reduction of 0.325 from last year and a decline of 10.756 mills since he took office. He said the county has lowered its rate by more than 50% since 2021.

“We’ve been able to lower our millage rate by more than 50% since 2021 and increase spending thanks to better budgeting, more focused and strategic spending, and the voter-approved OLOST,” says Mayor Miller. “I’m proud of our Commission and departments for focusing on our community’s highest priorities and budget and finance teams for making sure they have the resources and funding they need.”

County officials say the reduction comes even as the overall budget has grown. The Macon-Bibb budget rose from $174 million in 2022 to $219.8 million in the current fiscal year, the mayor’s office said.

Despite the lower millage rate, departments have seen budget increases during Miller’s tenure, including more than $28 million for public safety, more than $5.3 million for recreation and beautification, more than $4.5 million for economic development and more than $3.4 million for information technology.

The Macon-Bibb County Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed millage rate at its meeting on August 19, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 700 Poplar St.

If approved, the measure would mark the fifth straight year of reductions in the property tax rate for Macon-Bibb. County residents with questions or who wish to comment may attend the commission meeting or contact the mayor’s office.