Public hearings underway after Bibb BOE millage rate proposal

The Bibb County Board of Education has tentatively approved a new millage rate that will effectively raise property taxes by about 4.65%.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Board of Education has tentatively approved a new millage rate that will effectively raise property taxes by about 4.65%.

The proposed rate of 14.674 is the same as last year’s rate but.652 mills more than the rollback rate of 14.022 mills. According to district officials, this would mean an additional $47.60 annually in property taxes for a home with a fair market value of $200,000.

For that reason, state law requires public hearings.

During the first of three public hearings, one retired educator spoke out about the increase and questioned whether the district is efficiently using its facilities.

“It is my understanding that too many of our actual school buildings are not filled to capacity and that the closure and sale of some of these schools is needed,” she said. “In fact, the previous Superintendent, not you Dr. Sims, said that school closures would be necessary to meet the system’s financial obligations.”

In response, Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims said the district is already working to manage its budget carefully.

“We do plan to do an efficiency study this year,” Sims said. “We cut $5 million last year as far as our budget is concerned. We are always looking to be smart with our money.”

Two public hearings were held on Thursday. A third is set for August 14 at 5 p.m. at the Martin-Whitley Educational Complex, located at 2007 Riverside Drive.