Miller defends Macon-Bibb property tax rate as public hearings begin

The tentative 9.575 mill rate is unchanged but sits above the rollback rate. Two more public hearings are scheduled Tuesday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon-Bibb County property owners could soon feel the impact of a higher tax bill.

On Friday, the county commission held the first of three public hearings after tentatively adopting a millage rate that a millage rate that sits 9.28% above the rollback rate and counts as a tax increase under Georgia law.

Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller says the county plans to keep the millage rate steady to avoid cuts to essential public services. Miller says maintaining current funding is necessary to maintain pay for police officers and firefighters, and support public safety obligations. 

“For some people, that means they will pay a few dollars more,” he said. “For some, they will pay the same, for some people, they will pay less money. It’s also important to realize that if you take all the taxes in Macon-Bibb County: property taxes, including commercial and residential, you have about$67 million, and that barely pays for the sheriff’s office. You can see that we’re very public safety minded and heavy on our budget, and if you add the fire department to that, you’re over $100 million.”

Miller pointed to the rising cost of fuel as one challenge, mentioning the recent hiring of more law enforcement officers.

“Those that have automobiles ride around each and every day in those cars, and we know how much our fuel cost has gone up,” he said. “When we fill up the tank, well their cost has gone up too for us. Our utility cost is your utility cost. We pay for storm water, Georgia Power. So, just like cost has gone up for everyone else, it’s gone up for us as well. We’ve slimmed our budget as much as we can, so this year we will keep the rate the same and look at next year and see what changes.”

Miller says he understands the frustration, but if the community wants public services, there has to be payment for that. 

“Unfortunately that payment comes from people that live in our community, and most comes from people that don’t live in our community through the one penny sales tax,” he said. “So luckily for Macon-Bibb County, we’ve been very good about planning our strategies to fund our government.”

In November, voters will have the opportunity to vote on homestead tax exemptions for senior citizens 65 and older.   

“Senior citizens are going to get to vote themselves a tax decrease for the school system and the county at 65, 75, and 85,” he said. “So we’re looking forward to see if that passes this year.”

There will be two more public hearings on Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ahead of the final adoption vote.