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On Tuesday, the Hogansville City Council held the first of three required public hearings to set the annual millage rate.

City Manager Lisa Kelly said the council has budgeted the Maintenance & Operations millage rate at 7.95 mills, which it has been for 19-plus years.

Kelly said that some might be confused because the city recently had to advertise that property taxes would increase. Under state law, cities and counties have to place public notices when accessed taxes will be higher than the previous year even if the rate remains unchanged.

“It’s a little strange the way we have to advertise just simply because any increase that the city would receive in property taxes has to be considered an increase per state law,” Kelly said. 

Kelly explained that the increase in tax funds received will primarily come from reassessments and new construction.

“It includes any new homes and includes any additions to homes, remodels, that kind of thing,” Kelly said.

Some residents will see higher tax bills, but no one will see a difference from what the City of Hogansville is charging for the millage rate, which is 7.95%, Kelly said. Those who do have higher property tax bills will be because the assessed value of their home went up, which is done by the county and can be appealed.

Kelly said the increased assessments means that Hogansville will take in about 12.23% more in property taxes, or about $90,247.

The council held a public hearing to hear concerns from citizens on the proposed millage rate. No comments were made in for or against the proposed rate. The final vote on the millage rate will come after two public hearings on the matter scheduled for Sept. 18.

The next hearing will be on Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. and the final hearing is set for the council meeting later that evening at 7 p.m. Both hearings will be at City Hall.