Forsyth Commission Holds The Line On Property Taxes

CUMMING, GA — Property tax rates in Forsyth County are likely to stay the same for another year.

County commissioners on Wednesday announced they intend to maintain Forsyth's current property tax millage rate of 4.642 mills. That means the amount of taxes collected on homes, land and other properties will be calculated next year the same as they were this year.

It does not, of course, mean nobody's property taxes will go up, though.

If a home's assessed value goes up, the owner will pay more even when the millage rate remains the same.

Because the overall value of properties in Forsyth County has gone up, the county expects to collect more in tax revenues next year, even while keeping the tax rate the same.

In addition to the base millage rate, Forsyth County collects 1.419 mills as a fire tax.

Taxes raised under the new (but unchanged) rates will go to fund the county's 2018 general operating budget, which is currently in the early stages of development.

Commissioners said Wednesday that Forsyth's tax digest — the total roster of taxable properties — grew 7.66 percent over the past year. New construction was the source of nearly half of that, while the rest comes from increased property values.

On Thursday, commissioners will hold two of three public hearings that are scheduled on the tax rate and budget. They will be held at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Forsyth County Administration Building, at 110 E. Main St. in Cumming.

The third hearing will be Thursday, July 20, at 6 p.m.

The commission plans to vote on the new millage rate on July 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy Forsyth County