Final public hearing held to discuss projected rise in Muscogee County property value

COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — The final taxpayer bill of rights public hearing was held this week to discuss the projected rise in Muscogee County property value.

Georgia Law requires that three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on the increase.

City Manager, Isaiah Hugley says, “we have not had an increase in the millage rate in more than ten years.”

The tax rate has been reduced three times, most recently in 2023.

City of Columbus Finance Director Angelica Alexander says this increase can impact the 2024 budget.  Alexander explained there are two factors involved in the increase- inflation and improved or new homes.

“However there is no increase to the millage rate which is the tax rate in which you are taxed upon,” said Alexander.

She continued to say the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant will not be reflected this year as it was only awarded for 2023.

“We’re not raising taxes,” said Mayor Skip Henderson. “The tax rate is the exact same as it was last year… there is some increase in the value of property…if you do not have homestead filed, if that is not your primary residence and have homestead filed, it could go up simply because the value has gone up. The rate at which is being charged has not gone up.”

However, Columbus citizens still had some concerns.

Brian Jacobson, a citizen who will not be affected by the increase  says, “Personally, I am against any increase whatsoever, because I feel like you need to be better stewards of our tax money.”

Another citizen brought the impact this increase will have on non-owner occupied property to the council’s attention. Saying the increases to the property get passed onto tenants.

Henderson agreed saying, “That’s where the squeeze really is, I think it’s worse. There are initiatives underway to try to look for ways to lessen some of that pressure frankly on the end user, on the tenants.”

However Alexander shared, “Rental Property businesses are one of the few businesses that are actually exempt from occupation taxes.”

She explained residential property owners are exempt from paying occupation taxes; this provides some relief to property owners.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.