LONG COUNTY, Ga. — Long County commissioners voted Sept. 1 to reduce the county’s property tax rate, approving a millage rate of 17.802 for upcoming tax bills.
The new rate is down from last year’s 18.707 mills, a reduction of 0.905 mills, or approximately 4.8%.
County officials attributed the lower rate to revenue generated by the voter-approved Floating Local Option Sales Tax, known as FLOST.
The additional sales tax took effect Jan. 1 and increased Long County’s combined sales tax rate to 9%, according to an official county notice.
Officials said FLOST has generated approximately $650,000 this year. The county projects it will collect about $1.2 million during the tax’s first full year.
FLOST revenue must be used for property tax relief. The tax shifts a portion of the county’s revenue burden from property owners to purchases made by residents, visitors and others shopping within Long County.
One mill represents $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of taxable value. Georgia generally assesses property at 40% of its fair market value, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
If a property’s assessed value remains unchanged, the 0.905-mill reduction would lower the county tax by approximately $36.20 for every $100,000 in fair market value before exemptions. Actual savings will vary based on assessments and exemptions.
The reduction applies only to the county portion of the property tax bill.
A property owner’s final bill may still change because of a new assessment or tax rates imposed by other local authorities.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
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