Hearings planned on proposed fire tax rate hike

GAINESVILLE - Public hearings are planned starting next week on a proposed increase in the fire tax in Hall County.

For most people, those in unincorporated parts of the county, the proposed increase is almost 49 percent.

"The Fire Fund property tax millage rate for taxpayers in unincorporated Hall County is expected to increase by 48.92 percent, from the current 1.12 mills, rolled back 0.107 mills due to reassessed property values in the tax digest, to an expected 1.51 mills," according to a statement released by the County Commission Wednesday. "While the Fire Fund millage rate for taxpayers in incorporated Hall County (those towns where the county is responsible for fire protection) is expected to increase by 22.25 percent, from the current 2.47 mills, rolled back 0.247 mills due to reassessed property values in the tax digest, to an expected 2.72 mills."

The schedule for the hearings is as follows:

Hearing 1: Thursday, June 14, 2007, 6:00 p.m. - Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville.
Full Budget Presentation & Hearing will be held during the 5:00 pm Commission Meeting

Hearing 2: Monday, June 25, 2007, 3:00 p.m. - (Summary Presentation & Hearing)
Commissioners' Meeting Room
116 Spring St, Courthouse Annex, 2nd Floor, Gainesville

Hearing 3: Thursday, June 28, 2007, 9:00 a.m.