Warner Robins set to maintain millage rate

As is custom every year, the time has rolled around yet again for one of life’s two inevitabilities: taxes. Only a few short weeks ago, the Houston County Commissioners had three public meetings and a vote in regard to the county’s millage rate, the percentage that determines how property owners will be affected by property tax. The commissioners voted to maintain their millage rate at last year’s 9.9. The time has come for Warner Robins to make the same decision: to decrease, maintain, or increase the millage rate. So far, it seems that council will not be choosing the latter.

According to City Clerk Mandy Stella, there are currently no intentions to raise the millage rate, but because they did not choose to roll the rate back, Georgia law dictates that it must be advertised as an increase. As of now, Warner Robins will be maintaining its millage rate at 9.98.

That does not, however, mean that the citizens of Warner Robins will not see increased property taxes. “Even though our millage rate is going to be voted on to stay the same,” Stella said, “any home owners whose homes have been reassessed, could see an increase of what they have paid in the past.”

Every three to five years, the Houston County Board of Tax Assessors must do “a total county-wide reassessment” on taxable property. This year, when the demand for homes and property rose, so did the fair market value of said property, and the tax assessors were forced to do a reassessment. These values are assigned by factors such as demand, age and the area in which a property resides.

Although the millage rate will stay the same, Stella says that approximately 90 to 95% of all property in Houston County has seen a rise in value this year. The owners of those properties will see a tax increase

Each county, municipality and school board defines and sets their own millage rates. The taxes these entities collect are what they use to create their budget each year.

The city’s mayor said Warner Robins has maintained a millage rate below 10 for many years now. “Mayor Donald Walker set that ball in motion,” Mayor Randy Toms said. “That was his goal; he met that goal, and we’ve been able to maintain that goal ever since.” Toms also noted that council does have the opportunity to rollback the millage rate even further than what it already is; however, in doing so, budget cuts would have to be made.

Although the millage rate, as of now, is not being changed, Georgia State Law requires that the municipality advertises the millage rate and holds three public hearings before mayor and council can officially vote. This year, those meetings will be held on September 9 at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and another on September 20, at 12:00 p.m. These meetings will be held within the regular council chambers at Warner Robins City Hall, 700 Watson Blvd. All members of the public are welcome.

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