Politics & Government
Commissioners Want to Roll Back Millage Rates
The increase in property values in Cherokee County will allow a millage rate decrease and cost of living adjustments for county employees.
The recent increase in property values in Cherokee County may have some far-reaching benefits.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has made clear their plans to roll back the millage rate by .06, to 9.939. This rollback equates to a six cents drop per every $1,000 of value of taxable property.
"When we have an opportunity to fully roll back the millage rate it is certainly a step in the right direction," said Commissioner Jason A. Nelms. "We have a duty to run county government like a good business would run and rolling back the rate gives an opportunity to act wisely in regards to our shareholders - our citizens - by reducing the tax burden on them."
The Commissioners plan to achieve this roll back by "living within their means" as far as the fiscal year 2014 budget is concerned. The reduction of expenses brings the general fund budget shortfall to around $39 million, which can be recouped by property taxes at the reduced millage rate.
Similar reductions would be seen in the fire district and the parks bond. Below is a breakdown of the roll backs:
- 5.793 for the general fund (currently 5.825
- 3.370 for the fire district (currently 3.394)
- .776 mills for the parks bond (currently .780)
This three percent adjustment will be seen in the fiscal year 2014 budget, and should prove a morale booster to county employees.
"I know many sheriff's deputies, firemen, and county staff in general that desperately need this," Nelms said. " Our human capital element is to me the most important aspect of this business that we run - its the lifeblood of our team and the people in which we serve."
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