Gwinnett County again lowered its portion of the property tax rate slightly on Tuesday, reducing their portion of property taxes for the typical homeowner by about one percent. The County’s portion of the new overall tax rate will decrease from 11.08 mills to 10.97. Its portion has decreased 27 percent since 1996. The only increase in that time came from a voter-approved bond issue to expand the Pre-Trial Detention Center.
“These reductions reflect the Board of Commissioner’s decisions to rollback the millage rate to offset increased revenue from required reassessments of property,” said Financial Services Deputy Director Maria Woods.
This year, Gwinnett County government’s share will be 34.5 percent of the total property tax bill while the school board’s is 64.7 percent and the state’s is 0.8 percent.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Gwinnett Lowers Property Tax Rate
Monday, June 2, 2008
City of Atlanta Budget Update
On Friday, May 31, 2008, the updated Fulton County 2008 tax digest was distributed. The digest indicates that a combination of increased growth and tax reassessments will require a smaller property tax increase to close our 2009 estimated budget gap. Department of Finance analysis of the digest allows the administration to conclude that only 0.43 mill over 2007 tax millage will close the anticipated gap of $40 million.
The new millage rate translates into a $7.31 tax increase for a $100,000 home, a $24.51 increase for a $200,000 home, and a $41.71 increase for a $300,000 home. Table attached.
Since FY 2002 the millage rate has dropped by 1.51 mills from 10.86 to 9.35 as proposed in the administration’s FY 2009 General Fund Budget.
In the FY 2009 General Fund Budget we proposed four ways to eliminate the estimated $140 million FY 2009 budget shortfall including: reducing expenditures by creating work efficiencies and improved business practices, adopting budget policies that will allow for higher revenue anticipations, increasing revenue through adjustments in existing fees, and increasing property tax revenues. Our emphasis has been on reducing costs, but we knew it was not possible to solely rely on spending cuts. Even with these measures, we expect a $40 million shortfall that we proposed to close by a minimal tax increase for FY 2009 over FY 2008.
NOTE:
About the City of Atlanta Property Tax
An Atlanta property tax bill consists of taxes levied by each of the following entities: The State of Georgia, Fulton County (or DeKalb County), Atlanta Public Schools, and the City of Atlanta. It’s important to note that the City of Atlanta’s property taxes account for less than one-quarter (25%) of the total annual bill.
Calculating the City’s Property Tax
The formula used to calculate a rate payer’s property taxes owed is the Assessed Property Value (calculated at 40% of fair market value) minus exemptions (Basic Homestead, etc.) multiplied by the millage rate.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Governor Perdue Announces Filing of the Landowners Protection Act
Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that legislation has been filed that will limit liability for landowners who open their property to hunters and agri-tourists. Senate Bill 449, known as the Landowners Protection Act of 2008, is being carried by Senator Bill Heath, one of the Governor’s Floor Leaders in the Senate.
“Georgia is a prime destination for hunters and tourists who want to enjoy our land and farms,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This legislation will prevent liability concerns from discouraging landowners welcoming guests onto their property.”
The proposal will protect landowners who allow individuals to hunt on their property from being sued for accidents arising during a hunt. Likewise, landowners operating an agri-tourism attraction would not be held liable for accidents or injuries that may occur on the visit. Property owners will continue to be held responsible for gross negligence, and they will be liable if they deliberately put people in danger. Governor Perdue announced the legislation during the Georgia Farm Bureau’s annual legislative luncheon.
“We want to encourage landowners to open their hunting property and farms to visitors to enjoy Georgia’s natural beauty as an agricultural and sportsman’s paradise,” said Senator Bill Heath. “The Georgia General Assembly is working to protect landowners and, again, stand up for the rights of private property owners.”
