2017 Oconee tax millage approved

At the request of the auditor, Oconee County Council approved tax millage to determine this year’s property bills.  For all purposes, total tax mills for 2017 amount to 220.2–an increase of 5.2 mills.  As explained by Auditor Christy Hubbard, the dollar amounts that council approved to fund the new year of county operations require 73.9 mills–same as last year.  But a different story for education.  And that, last night, caused some consternation for council members who are critical of school district spending.  For school operations, Hubbard announced 115.3 mills.  Add the necessary millage for both the county and the schools brings total millage in 2017-18 to 220.2.  Hubbard gave a lengthy explanation of the Oconee tax situation and this year’s budget funding requirements.  Among the factors impacting the tax rate are the property value changes from countywide re-assessment and the increased payments that local government must make to help fund the state retirement system.