Board of Commissioners Millage Rate Hearing - February 12, 2026

This was a public hearing on the proposed FY25 millage rate. The hearing was being re‑run because the original newspaper advertisements for the first set of hearings were incorrectly sized. The presentation and public comment focused on the need for a millage increase to balance the budget due to rising expenses and falling revenues.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Letitia Williams (River’s Edge community) asked how the 31% advertised increase would actually affect her property tax. She was told taxes are increasing, but not by 31% – the gross millage would rise from 16 to 18.5 mills.
• Mary Matthews (Jonesboro) questioned whether the increase was locked in for more than one year. Staff explained that the millage is set annually based on the tax digest. She expressed opposition as a senior citizen and urged the board to seek equitable alternatives to avoid foreclosures and tax liens.
• Sherry Sinclair (Sawgrass Lakes / River’s Edge) challenged the example average home value of $250,000, stating as a real estate broker that the average is closer to $300,000–$350,000. She asked if funds could be taken from higher‑paid employees or through fundraisers rather than taxing homeowners. Staff explained that competitive wages are needed to retain employees and that the county partners with nonprofits rather than holding fundraisers. She expressed unhappiness with the proposed increase.
• Kenneth Chapel (Jonesboro) asked whether the presentation was available online or in print (it was not). He was told the budget is online but not the slides, and he could speak with staff offline.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by Angela Jackson (Finance):
  • The FY25 proposed millage hearing was being re‑run for the second time due to the advertisement error. The new millage calendar: August 28 (ad), September 5 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. (these hearings), third hearing September 17, and adoption on September 18.
  • Budgetary need: expenses increased, revenues decreased (including a drop in public utility tax from $15.1M to $7M), plus new state mandates (ethics board, salary increases for some elected officials). Total departmental requests were $383.7M, but forecasted revenue was $284M. Cuts of $66.8M were made without reducing services.
  • The proposed millage is 18.5 mills, up from 16 mills last year. The 31% figure advertised is a percentage of the previous millage rate, not a percentage of homeowner taxes.
  • Examples: For a home valued at $250,000 the annual increase would be $261.54 ($21.80/month); for $100,000 home $87.18/year ($7.27/month); for a $350,000 business $406.84/year ($33.90/month).
• Board comments: Commissioners acknowledged the presentation was identical to the earlier hearings. No questions were raised by the board. The chairman noted that the board is committed to exploring ways to alleviate the tax burden on seniors.

Key Outcomes

• No vote was taken at this hearing. It was solely a public hearing to receive input.
• The board adopted the meeting agenda unanimously after the hearing.
• The next steps: a third public hearing on September 17, 2024, followed by a special called meeting on September 18, 2024 for adoption of the FY25 millage.