By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
No property tax increase for Statesboro residents; no public attended city budget meeting
Placeholder Image
    Statesboro City Manager George Wood reiterated the fact that there will not be a property tax increase for residents of Statesboro at a public hearing on the city's budget Tuesday afternoon.
    In fact, the city will be rolling back its millage rate later in the year and will only increase its funds from property tax revenue from new construction.
    "For example, lets say the city grew by 15 percent from reevaluation and four percent of that is growth, we'll roll back our millage rate 11 percent and keep the growth," Wood said.
    The city won't roll back its rate until September or October after residents have had an opportunity to appeal the property evaluations, if they so choose.
    No one from the public attended Tuesday's meeting. Four city officials were on hand to answer any questions from the crowd that never came.
    Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Brannen thanked the various department heads for their efforts to keep costs low and for the work they've done in regards to the budget.
    "I think we've got a good budget and it's good we don't have to raise taxes on our citizens," Brannen said.
    While property taxes won't be going up, several other fees will see a small increase, mostly due to the fact that they haven't been adjusted in seven years.
    Among the fees going up are the water and sewer rates, which will see a two percent increase, as well as a two percent increase for sanitation rates.
    One of the reasons the rates haven't been adjusted for so long, Wood said, is because of the growth within the city that has enable the system to expand to cover the costs.
    The city will also increase the tippage fees paid at the Statesboro-Bulloch County landfill to help offset the increased cost of transporting garbage to Wayne County. However, that increase will not affect residential customers. Instead, it will only affect private disposal companies who use the landfill.
    The city is expected to adopt the budget at their meeting next Tuesday.
Sign up for the Herald's free e-newsletter