ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell is proposing a property tax increase for residents. Officials say it’s needed to pay critical city needs and debt service.
It’s the first time in about 10 years that Roswell is proposing a tax increase.
At the city’s Monday council meeting, members held the first public hearing on the millage rate with public comment and staff presentations.
As proposed, Roswell leaders want to increase the millage rate to 7.732 mills from 4.949 mills.
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While the city’s position is to increase the tax rate, members of the public pushed back, saying that even without a millage rate increase, property values had gone up so they were paying higher taxes anyway.
City officials said the tax rate has remained roughly flat for the past decade and the increase in taxes would be used to pay for infrastructure and upkeep of city buildings and equipment, as well as public safety investments.
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Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux said it wasn’t something the council decided easily.
“We didn’t come to the decision to raise taxes lightly. This comes after a thorough review of our City’s near- and long-term needs,” Robichaux said in a statement. “We owe it to our brave men and women in uniform to give them the tools they need to keep our City safe. We owe it to the people who drive throughout Roswell to ensure our roads aren’t riddled with potholes. And we owe it to the residents who play in our parks to have grass cut and restrooms clean. This proposed millage rate would allow us to honor those commitments.”
At this stage of the process, the city says the proposed millage rate is tentative. A formal vote is expected on Sept. 28.
Another public hearing on property taxes is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. with a third on Sept. 21, also at 6 p.m.
These meetings will include a question and answer session and presentations, with public comment.
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