Lumpkin County Board Of Education On Millage Rate

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LUMPKIN CO., GA

Lumpkin County Board of Education members voted to keep the current millage rate of 16.819 during the BOE meeting on Monday, August 13, instead of accepting a rollback millage rate of 16.321, which will result in a property tax increase for Lumpkin County.  

Before the board held the vote, Superintendent Dr. Robert Brown explained that the millage rate is based on anticipated revenue for 2019. By setting the millage rate at 16.819 instead of the rate of 16.321, Brown expects to raise an additional $400,000. He asserted that the additional anticipated funds would allow Lumpkin County teachers, as well as any other certified school employee, to receive what he described as a “much needed raise.” 

Brown also pointed out that Lumpkin County’s current property values are comparable to the 2013 values; the declining digest has stabilized, and even increased, over the past couple of years. Since the millage rate is relative to property values, property taxes will increase as well. He estimated that it will cost roughly $50 per every $100,000 of Fair Market Value of the whole, “the reason that your property taxes will be higher, is because your property has been assessed at a higher value. Property values go up, millage stays the same, that’s where the increase comes from.”

Allison Martin, a Lumpkin County resident, expressed her concern over the tax increase, and how it will impact residents who do not qualify for the senior tax exemption.

Lumpkin County Board of Education members from left to right: Craig Poore, Lynn Sylvester, Bobby Self, Dr. Rob Brown, and Jim McClure.

“Your decision to go above the rollback rate is another $65 for our family, just for the 4.98 mil, which does not include the shift for the [senior tax] exemption…those of us in the under 65 [age group] cannot continue to finance a failing tax system. Please do not raise our taxes.”  

Lumpkin County Commissioner Bobby Mayfield spoke in favor of the millage rate increase because, he said, the pay raise will help educators to “manage the cost of living.” He also explained that the pay raise will make Lumpkin Schools more competitive in comparison to surrounding counties when hiring and keeping educators.

Another Lumpkin County resident, who is a former special education teacher, questioned if the school board has explored alternative solutions to raise revenues for the schools, “I wonder why there’s never any idea of trying another way to raise revenue,” she asked. She went on to suggest a marketing campaign that would encourage residents who qualify to, “donate some of their tax exemption back to the school system”.

Board members present include: Craig Poore, Lynn Sylvester, Bobby Self, Dr. Brown, and Jim McClure.

 

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