Cobb Schools Sets Public Hearings on Property Tax Increases

Cobb County Schools will hold three public hearings on its proposed property tax rate next month.

The school board tentatively adopted an 18.7 millage rate when it passed its 2024-25 school year budget in May. The proposed millage rate is the same as it was last year and, according to Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, one of the lowest in the metro area.

But because of a rise in property values, property tax collections are projected to go up by 8.73%, even with no change to the millage rate. In order to collect the same revenue as last year and avoid that tax increase, the millage rate would have to be rolled back to 17.199 mills.

Last year, the school board reduced the millage rate from 18.9 to 18.7. That 0.2 mills roll back was approved in a 6-0 vote from the board, with Republican board member David Banks abstaining.

Banks had made a motion for a more significant 0.5-mill reduction, which Democratic board member Leroy Tre’ Hutchins supported.

Hutchins told the MDJ in May of this year that while he understands the district cannot always reduce the millage rate, he hopes the board is receptive to feedback from taxpayers.

“It is challenging, at best, because we continue to take the increases, however I do know that we do need it to have a world-class education system,” Hutchins said. “But I want the board to be more willing to understand where the taxpayers are in regard to increases ... but, based on the (budget) presentation, it’s going to make for a great academic year.”

Per Georgia law, the school board will hold three public hearings on the millage rate. Those hearings will be held in the board room at the districts headquarters at 514 Glover Street in Marietta on:

♦ July 11, 11:30 a.m.

♦ July 11, 6:05 p.m.

♦ July 18, 6:30 p.m.

The school board will vote on the millage rate at its 7 p.m. meeting on July 18, also held at 514 Glover St.