WR approves millage rate/property tax increase

Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms and Council held a special called meeting Monday, to hold a second reading and vote for the proposed millage rate and increase in 2020 property taxes.

Earlier this month, Sept. 4, the city announced its intention to increase the 2020 property taxes it will levy this year by 0.21 percentage over the rollback millage rate for City of Warner Robins, Houston County residents and 3.44 percentage over the rollback millage rate for City of Warner Robins, Peach County residents. Each year, the board of tax assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the county.

Required by state law, mayor and council held three public hearings, two of which were held on Sept. 14 and the last on Sept. 21. Residents had the opportunity to submit questions by email or phone call prior to the hearings as the meetings were/are still not open to the public. Each meeting has been held either virtually or in-person for the council and live streamed for public viewing.

The council came to a vote of 3-2 with council members Kevin Lashley and Larry Curtise voting in opposition. Council member Daron Lee was not in attendance at Monday’s meeting. Council member Kevin Lashley stated that he understood the reasoning for not rolling back the millage rate, but wish they had more time to review and address exactly where the placing of these funds will go.

Curtis asked Toms, if they were to rollback the millage rate, would there be some sort of decrease for everyone. Toms said there would be, but only a small amount. Council member Clifford Holmes addressed council stating that they created the budget based on not rolling back the millage rate. Curtis then said he was a little disappointed.

“Here it is, we had an opportunity to relieve a burden even if it was just a little bit,” Curtis said. “We didn’t look out for the citizens; we decided to put another tax burden on a percentage of the citizens, and I totally disagree with that. We’re still in the midst of a pandemic and just implemented an increase in the water and utilities rate, and now this.”

Toms said he understood the concerns, but shared that Warner Robins has one of the lowest millage rates around.

“We have consistently, over time, rolled back the millage rate. But at some point, if we don’t continue to keep our millage rate the same, whatever administration is in place will have to substantially raise it,” Toms said. “Again, I understand the concern, but the vast majority will not see an increase in their property taxes.”

The millage rate will now remain at 9.98 mills. Toms said the 0.21 increase for Warner Robins, Houston County residents, and the 3.44 increase for Warner Robins, Peach County residents will only affect people building new properties or building an addition onto their house.

Toms said for those who are building new properties or adding onto homes in Warner Robins, Houston County, with a fair market value of $125,000, the tax increase will be approximately $0.55 per year; a non-homestead property with a fair market value of $150,000 is $1.26 per year. In Warner Robins, Peach County with a fair market value of $125,000, the tax increase will be approximately $7.49 per year; a non-homestead property with a fair market value of $150,000 is $17.28 per year. Toms also said they estimate that increase will bring in around $455,582.00, which will go directly into the general fund.

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