Bartow County's sole Commissioner Steve Taylor—in his first year of office following 20-year incumbent Clarence Brown, who didn't raised property taxes following the economic downturn—has approved a 25-percent increase in the millage rate.
The move came after a series of three public meetings, two of which BartowPolitics.com captured on video. Only three residents chose to speak at the final public hearing Wednesday, WBHF-AM 1450 reports.
Taylor approved the property tax hike, saying, "It wasn’t an easy thing to do, but it was something that had to be done, in my opinion. It’s the least amount that we can set it and still operate. We continue to struggle with cutting expenses and may still have to consider eliminating some departments," according to The Daily Tribune News. "The only source of funding is to raise ad valorem taxes since sales tax revenues have declined greatly.”
The increase will cost Bartow County homeowners about an extra $100 per year per $125,000 in the fair market value of their homes.
The new millage rate and the county school's millage rate, which hasn't officially been set, will be calculated on the property tax bills that will be mailed out sometime in September, according to County Clerk Kathy Gill.
Do you agree with Taylor that a 25-percent property tax increase was necessary? How will the tax hike affect you? Will it affect your future voting decision? Tell us what you think in the comments.
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