Press Release: School Board Recommends Millage Rate, Announces Public Hearings

Carnesville, Georgia (July 8, 2024) – The Franklin County School System announces its intent to maintain the current millage rate of 14.471 for the upcoming fiscal year.

Superintendent Melanie Burton-Brown expressed that maintaining the millage rate demonstrates the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while continuing to provide quality education to our students.

“Our goal is to ensure that we are maximizing our resources effectively to benefit our
students, staff, and community,” said Superintendent Burton-Brown. “The decision to keep the millage rate unchanged reflects the district’s dedication to balancing the needs of its educational programs with the financial well-being of the community. By maintaining the rate, the district aims to ensure that necessary funding is available to support our curriculum initiatives, keep and retain needed personnel, and meet other critical operational needs without imposing additional financial burdens on taxpayers.”

Why Does the Value of a House Increase?

Each year, the Franklin County Board of Tax Assessors is required to review and assess the value of property for tax purposes. When there is an upward trend of prices on properties, due to growth or inflationary factors, this reflects an increase in the “fair market value” of any specific property. The Board of Tax Assessors is required by law to re-determine the value of such property and increase the assessment. This is called a reassessment. Not all properties are reassessed each year, but each property benefits from an increase in “fair market value”.

What Does the Legal Notice Mean by “Increase in Property Taxes”?

The wording of the legal notice is required by Georgia code. The notice’s reference to “increase in property taxes” refers to the fact that when the millage rate is applied to the increased property values, the taxpayers will be paying an increased amount of taxes. The school board has no influence on the increase in property values.

Citizens Invited to Public Hearings

The citizens are invited to three public hearings regarding the property tax millage rate. These hearings will take place at the Board of Education Administrative Offices, 280 Busha Road, Carnesville, GA, on the following dates:

8:00 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024
5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024
6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2024

For more information visit www.franklin.k12.ga.us or call 706-384-4554.