Coweta taxes spike during recession.

by George Dienhart

Coweta property taxes are expected to increase by $200 to $300 or more this fall. The Coweta County School Board and the Coweta County Commission have approved millage rates for their new budgets. The schools' millage rate remained the same. So did the county's rate, except for a small dip in unincorporated areas of Coweta. The county also approved . $470k to go toward debt service for the fire bonds that were approved by voters last November. This will add $28-$50 in extra taxes for Coweta residents.

But the big change in Coweta tax bills - an increase of $200 to $300 on every homeowner will be the result of the change in the state Homeowners Tax Relief Grant.

In 1999, state lawmakers passed some credit legislation. This legislation included grants from the state to local governments to reduce of property tax bills. Recently the General Assembly tied the relief grant to growth in the economy, hence no grants for Coweta this year.
Specifically, there is now $5.7 million hole in the Coweta budget. Specifically, $3.6 million for schools, $1.6 million for the county and $500k for the county fire district.

That means that there is sure to be a tax increase. The problem is, County administrators knew this was possible all along, and did nothing to prepare for it. Part of being elected to office should be the ability to accurately forecast the municipalities budget. Coweta's county commissions have failed their constituents in this most basic part of their job.