EVANS COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) — The Evans County Board of Education’s new millage rate will require an almost 32% property tax increase and it’s something many citizens said they don’t agree with.
From 10 mills to 14 mills and not only will property taxes increase, but citizens of Evans County will be required to pay property taxes twice this year. Once in May for 2024 taxes, since homes were being reassessed and the other in December for 2025 property taxes.
“Unfortunately, we are in a situation where our county’s gone through a three-year reevaluation process,” Superintendent Marty Waters said. “So, property taxes have increased tremendously, but we’re also mandated by the state to be at 14 mills in order to earn equalization, which is almost $4 million for our district. So, it’s an unfortunate situation, and that’s what’s driven the decision to request a 14-millage rate, and the tax increase.”
The equitization grant is a grant given to low-income school districts to help meet student’s needs. The increase would cause properties assessed at $100,000 to pay $135 dollars more a year and properties assessed at 250k to pay a $339 increase, something resident Cheryl Conelly said a lot of them can’t afford.
“A lot of people cannot afford it,” Conelly said. “That’s I mean, we know we have to pay taxes. I mean, that’s a given, but the amount, I think, is the big issue, and a lot of our older population, they’re not able to do that, and then to pay it twice, they can’t afford to pay it once.”
Johnathan Brown said he understands the money is funding the future of our country but there has to be a compromise from both sides.
“My biggest ask is that they take a look at what our actual needs are for the community and for our children, for our school system, and try to set a budget and a millage rate for the taxes that’s actually going to meet our needs, and it can also hopefully give some relief to our community and our taxpayers,” Brown said.
Thursday’s meeting was the first of three hearings the next is scheduled for next Thursday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. and the last hearing will be on Thursday, March 6 at 6 p.m.