Oconee County Budget Maintains Millage Rate, Increases Water And Sewer Costs

Oconee County Finance Director Wes Geddings presented a $39.7 million budget to the public Tuesday night that includes no increase in the county’s millage rate but does include a water rate increase of 1.5 percent and a sewer rate increase of 3 percent.

The budget is 8.7 percent greater than the current budget, and the extra revenue will come in part from an expected 6 to 10 percent increase in property values. Sales tax revenues also are projected to increase.

The increased property values mean that most individual property owners will pay more in taxes next year than this year, with the average increase in that 6 to 10 percent range. The tax digest, or assessment of county property, is not final.

The county could have reduced the millage rate to keep taxes from increasing but did not do so. The rate for the unincorporated parts of the county will be 6.686, while the county tax rate for property in the four cities will be 7.666.

Even with the increased revenue, Geddings plans to balance the budget by drawing $647,759 from the county’s reserve, called a fund balance.

Geddings presentation tonight was the first open discussion of the budget, which goes into effect on July 1. The Board of Commissioners will take final action on the budget at its meeting on June 2.

For more on the story, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Geddings at hearing.