Tax Rates Reduced for Sixth Year in a Row
Thomasville, Georgia, 24 July 2019 --- The Board of Commissioners set tentative tax rates at its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 23rd. . County Manager Mike Stephenson is recommending a reduction in the tax rate for the sixth year in a row. Millage rates are listed below by tax district:
District 2018 Millage Rates 2019 Millage Rates - Recommended
Incorporated 9.005 8.913
Unincorporated 7.531 7.131
Emer. Serv. 1.735 1.720
Fire District 1 3.063 3.038
Fire District 2 3.070 3.037
Fire District 3 2.340 2.329
“Though the reductions each year have been modest, we are moving consistently in the right direction”, Stephenson noted. Improvements in the County’s financial position are cited below:
- Health benefit costs have remained constant.
- All county departments are controlling routine expenses on a regular basis
- Sales tax revenues made a significant increase for the first time in six years
- Insurance premium tax revenues increased
- Privatized ambulance fee collections increased revenues $ 700,000 in the first year
“I am confident recent actions taken by the Board of Commissions will yield similar results in the future”, Stephenson stated. The closing of the county prison saved about $500,000 in operating costs in FY 2018 and again in 2019. Cross-training firefighters and EMTs will stabilize Emergency Services personnel costs while increasing service coverage.
The Thomas County Board of Commissioners will set the final 2019 tax rates at its regular meeting on Tuesday, 27 August 2019.at 6:00 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse.
For more information please contact Mike Stephenson at 229-225-4100.
(5-Year History in the Document Center)