Millage rates will change

The Pike County board of education plans to increase the maintenance and operations millage rate to make up for a drop in the total value of Pike’s property tax digest, fund needed maintenance projects and restore instructional days to the student calendar.The net tax increase is advertised at 4.51% from last year, with a $297,725.42 net tax increase. The net millage rate is advertised at 14.274. Before the board can set a final millage rate, Georgia law requires three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on this increase. They will be held at the board room in Zebulon Thursdays, Aug. 11 at 11:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.County commissioners intend to decrease property taxes levied this year, cutting $234,089 from last year’s budget. The board of commission’s net tax decrease is advertised at negative 3.76%, but county manager Bill Sawyer said in a recent meeting it could be even lower after the tax assessor’s office deals with around 700 property assessment appeals.