The Gwinnett County Board of Education has scheduled three public hearings as required by law in anticipation of a proposed tax increase due to a non-rollback with the millage rate.
The first hearing is currently scheduled for July 5 at 6 p.m. The second and third public hearings will take place on July 12 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Each hearing will take place in the board room at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center at 437 Old Peachtree Troad NW in Suwanee.
The Gwinnett County Board of Education on June 15 adopted its FY 2024 budget and tentatively adopted a millage rate that would support that budget, according to the Communications and Media Relations department with the county. Throughout the budget-setting process, it was indicated the adopted budget would not require an increase in the millage rate.
The millage rates presently sit at 19.20 for maintenance and operations and 1.45 for debt service. The funds generated by maintenance and operations millage reportedly pay for daily school system operations, including employee salaries, instructional materials, student transportation and school utility costs.
Debt service millage funds are used to pay off the school board’s long-term debt from a bond referendum that was passed over previous years to fund school construction, according to county officials.
The Gwinnett County Tax Assessor’s Office conducts annual property value assessments in order to keep the tax digest up to date. According to state law, local authorities, including the Board of Education, are required to keep tax collections revenue-neutral by decreasing millage rates in order to offset the gained taxes from property value updates. Another option is to announce a tax increase, even if the actual millage rate does not rise.
Total millage revenue for FY 2024 will reportedly generate more funds due to the announcement of a property tax increase. However, taxpayers whose property values have not increased from a reassessment will see no increase in their school tax bill, officials said Friday.
The FY 2024 budget is said to provide investments in compensation, school-based resources, early literacy, access and opportunity and safety and security.
Public school enrollment in Gwinnett County is predicted to grow by over 2,064 students, which will raise the projected enrollment total to 183,800 students in the fall, according to county officials.
The public hearings are scheduled in an attempt to allow the public a chance to address the Board of Education with concerns. Sign-up sheets to speak will be available at the hearing, and officials report there will be no ability to sign up in advance.
