(written by Carroll County Schools)

July 18, 2024 — The Carroll County Board of Education has tentatively approved a full millage rate rollback for county property owners after seeing another large increase in assessed values this year.

The county tax digest increased almost $340 million, allowing the BOE to reduce the school tax millage rate from 17 mills to 16.259 mills. This marks the third consecutive annual millage rate cut from the school board, bringing the millage rate down from nearly 18 mills in 2021.

“What an incredible opportunity our board took this year to approve the full rollback in our millage rate,” BOE Chairman Bryant Turner said. “The board really wanted to make sure that we can give this tax relief to citizens while maintaining premier learning opportunities for our students and the right support to our staff. This requires good stewardship of the resources we have, and we are so thankful we can do this for the people of Carroll County.”

The new rate saves the average Carroll County homeowner nearly $100 per year. When compared with the five similar surrounding districts, Carroll County’s 2023 millage rate is the second lowest overall, and represents the lowest property tax levy per learner of the six districts.

“The ability to cut the millage rate this much is a reflection of the work our board has done over the last several years to make smart investments in our facilities and our people,” Superintendent Scott Cowart said. “We take good stewardship of our resources very seriously and look for ways to do more with what we have, and I think you see that reflected in our tax levy per learner.”

The board is expected to vote at its August 22 meeting to officially set the millage rate. Approving the full rollback rate has major impacts to the system budget that the board must weigh, Cowart said.

“Local taxpayers need to know that the state reduces its funding to Carroll County Schools when the property tax digest increases, so we will be seeing a decrease in state funding over the next two years,” Cowart said. “The state also reduces our funding because the board voted to lower the millage rate. Unfortunately, that’s how the system works.”

Compared with similar sized systems statewide, Carroll County is the 4th fastest growing district but has the 4th lowest tax digest per learner. This means the board must carefully balance property tax cuts and the reduced state funding that follows.

“Our system is a huge economic driver for our county,” Cowart said. “Not only are we educating students who will fill local jobs in a few short years, the great majority of our 2,000 employees live in our community, supporting local businesses and paying local taxes. We understand that and are careful to invest taxpayer resources back into our community.”

The BOE approved a FY2025 general fund budget of nearly $200 million on June 20 that includes a pay increase for both certified teachers and classified staff, replacement buses for the county fleet, technology improvements and about $1.5 million to complete phase one of the new operations center on the former site of the West Georgia Fairgrounds.

Cowart said the operations center is an important step in centralizing transportation, maintenance, school nutrition and alternative programs in a single location with needed highway access.

Construction on the project is ongoing with crews focusing on the connection to the traffic light at the intersection of Bankhead Highway and Old Airport Road. Buses, large trucks and other vehicles will be able to directly access the operations center via the traffic light.

Existing buildings at the old fairgrounds are being remodeled into shop and office buildings for the transportation department. New modular buildings are being constructed to house school nutrition and alternative programs.

Cowart said he anticipates operations transitioning to the new site throughout the fall semester.

“We are very appreciative to the board for their investment in students and our system infrastructure while providing relief to county taxpayers,” Cowart said. “We are thankful to live in a great community with many partners who understand the importance of working together.”