Public hearings scheduled for proposed tax increase

GAINESVILLE - You'll get your chance starting Monday to tell Hall County school officials what you think of a proposed school tax increase.

The plan calls for a .90 mill increase this year - and the first of three public hearings is Monday morning at 11:30, with another that night at 6:30. The other is planned June 12 at 5:30.

Board member Nath Morris has said he would like to reduce the tax rate hike by increasing tax collections, "It's eight hundredths, I mean eight hundredths of a mill is eight hundredths of a mill; could possibly bring it down to a .77 increase."

Board Chairman Richard Higgins said two weeks ago the tax increase is needed because of state funding cuts and an unfunded graduation counselor mandate, "That's four million dollars, that's the mill right there. So, that pretty much would cover the amount they were going up."

All of the hearings will be at school board offices on Green Street.