The City of Lawrenceville has proposed a millage rate increase.
The new millage rate is proposed to be set at 3.26 mills, 1.206 mills above the roll-back rate.
In the state of Georgia, the roll-back rate sets the millage rate automatically to produce the same total revenue that the prior year’s millage rate would have produced.
If it is raised any higher, the state requires the municipality to hold three public hearings, place notices of increase in the paper, and issue press releases.
According to the city’s press release, the new rate is still the lowest in the county among Gwinnett cities with a millage rate and a city police department.
"The proposed millage rate adjustment is essential to maintaining the high-quality services expected by our residents,” Chief Financial Officer Keith Lee said. “Our goal is to balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of our growing community.”
The proposal was initially communicated to the public in 2023 during the fiscal year 2024 budget discussions and public hearings.
The current rate is 2.228 mills and was last increased during fiscal year 2022. The proposed property tax revenue for fiscal year 2025 is $6.5 million, which includes a total revenue increase of $1.7 million.
Property tax represents 3.5% of the city’s revenue and just under 10% of the total property taxes a citizen pays in Lawrenceville.
The three public hearings on the millage rate are scheduled for July 10 at 5 p.m. and July 22 at 12 and 7 p.m. at Lawrenceville City Hall and citizens are encouraged to attend.