Alicia B. Hill
Times-News

The Troup County Board of Commissioners recently announced an increase in the 2019 property taxes levied this year of 2.16 percentage points over the rollback millage rate.

However, the commission assured citizens that the millage rate itself will remain the same, and the increase advertised represents an increase in property values, not the rate.

“We are getting more dollars in tax money because [of the] the assessment, that triggers the term ‘tax increase’ or ‘increase of taxes,’” said Buddy Cashwell, chief financial officer for the Troup County Board of Commissioners. “The millage rate has stayed the same. It has been the same for 6 years. Because the assessed value of our property across the county goes up a little bit every year, that triggers that calculation.”

A variety of factors can cause property value to increase, including some of the major improvements and developments that are underway in Troup County.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners has questioned the confusing wording of the notice on multiple occasions and asked that state legislators consider allowing for clearer wording.

However, the requirement remains the same.

“The state says that we have to use that language, and we talk about it every time we do a millage rate,” said County Commission Chairman Patrick Crews.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to at 9 a.m. onTuesday, July 2, at the Troup County Government Center, 100 Ridley Avenue in LaGrange.

Any disabled person requiring special provisions for either of these meetings should contact the commissioner’s office at (706) 298 1630.