BOE sets millage rate at 9.5 mils
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

After coming under heavy "fire" from local property owners over a proposed 49.52 percent "net" tax increase, the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) voted to roll back its previous year's millage rate of 10.5 mils to 9.5 mils for fiscal year 2007-2008. The action came during a called meeting held Thursday, Nov. 8, immediately following the final public hearing on the matter.

The adopted rate represents a 35.28 percent tax increase and is expected to create an additional $561,293 in local revenues over the previous year due to a recent state-required property re-evaluation. It was predicted that maintaining the 10.5 mils rate would have generated $787,826 more in local taxes over the previous year and created a $400,000 "reserve" at the end of the present year. The 9.5 mils rate will decrease that estimated reserve to $50,000-$100,000, said Doug Eza, a state-funding specialist who spoke at the public hearings.

Reduction of the millage rate will also reduce state funding. Mr. Eza estimated that the BOE could expect to lose not only the $225,000 in local revenues that would have been generated by the one mil which was rolled back, but also approximately $280,000 in state funding due to the mechanics of the state's Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula.

"You would need to cut $500,000 out of your budget next year," he commented.

The BOE had previously cited state budget cuts, unfunded or partially funded state mandates, increased expenses in areas such as fuel and inequalities in the state's QBE funding formula as reasons for the tax increase.

During the public hearings, however, local taxpayers questioned the timing and fairness of the proposed increase and whether or not the BOE had first reduced its budget as much as possible before seeking additional local funding.

"There is more hidden in that budget than you want to admit to," remarked City of Millen Mayor King Rocker.

"We have to educate our young people, but we also have got to hold our budget," commented Jeff Joyner.

In her remarks, Christine Stripling questioned the timing and fairness of the proposed increase.

"I would ask that you consider the timing and that the amount you are asking for is unreasonable," she said.

Following adoption of the millage rate, the BOE officially adopted its 2007-2008 budget with appropriate reductions in local revenues as brought about by the millage rollback.