Berg Hopeful Commissioners Will Adopt Tax Rollback At Thursday’s Board of Commissioners Meeting

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Dawson County citizens could get some tax relief next year thanks to the business development taking place along Ga. 400 and a healthy fund balance that is above average for Georgia counties.

When the Dawson County Board of Commissioners meets for its voting session Thursday, commissioners will vote on setting the millage rate.

Commission Chairman Mike Berg said last week he is hopeful commissioners will adopt a full rollback rate of 7.8 mils, a significant reduction from the 8.138 mils of last year.

During last week’s work session, Berg said, “We have worked very hard to develop Hwy. 400 so we could reduce taxpayers property taxes.”

If the current millage rate is retained, it is estimated that property taxes would generate$15,058,197 next year. With a full rollback to 7.8 mils, it would generate about $9,487,832. The county currently has a healthy unassigned fund balance of $ 5,208,334 or about 23 percent. The standard in most Georgia counties averages between 15 and 25 percent.

“My recommendation is that we advertise no tax increase with a 7.80 millage,” Berg said.

At Thursday’s meeting, commissioners will also decide if they want to add a Tax Appraiser III position. Chief Tax Appraiser Kurt Tangel explained that the passage of House Bill 202 last year added significant responsibilities to the Tax Assessors office, making it a much more formal process than it was just five years ago. The cost to add the position this year would be about $25,000 and $51,000 in 2017.

Staff recommended commissioners approve B+C Studios for the State Route 53 Overlay District Development and Design. B+C Studios was the low bidder at $46,000 for the project that will cover the 8 mile stretch of SR 53 from Perimeter Road to the Forsyth County line.