Perry property tax collections expected to rise despite lower millage rate

Perry is proposing a lower millage rate for 2026, but the city expects total property tax collections to increase by approximately $663,000, or 4.48%, because of growth in the tax digest.

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The City of Perry is proposing a millage rate rollback for 2026, lowering the rate as property values increase because of reassessments.

The proposed rate of 12.508 mills is 0.189 mills below the 2025 rate of 12.697 mills.

Perry City Council is scheduled to consider and vote on the proposal Tuesday, September 15, at 6 p.m. at Perry City Hall, located at 808 Carroll Street.

Tax digest and collections increase

Although the proposed millage rate is lower, Perry’s net maintenance and operations tax digest increased from approximately $1.168 billion in 2025 to $1.239 billion in 2026.

The proposed rate is expected to generate approximately $15.48 million in net taxes. That would be an increase of approximately $663,000, or 4.48%, from the previous year.

According to the city, the additional revenue would come from new growth added to the tax digest, rather than higher reassessments of existing property.

Millage rate has declined since 2021

Perry’s five-year history shows its millage rate has decreased from 14.050 mills in 2021 to the proposed 12.508 mills in 2026.

The city reduced the rate to 12.697 mills in 2024 and kept it at that level in 2025.

The city said its 2026 tax digest and five-year levy history will be published in accordance with state requirements before the council considers the proposed rate.

The Perry City Council meeting is open to the public.