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1 Ehron Ostendorf, Public Relations Specialist Dawson County Government 25 Justice Way, Suite 2240 Dawsonville, GA 30534 [PHONE REDACTED] x42315 I [EMAIL REDACTED] www.dawsoncountyga.gov Sept. 12, 2025 Dawson County BOC holds public hearings for adoption of millage rate DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Government Board of Commissioners (BOC) held three public meetings and adopted a 5.463 millage rate for 2025 property taxes, which is 0.103 mills or 1.92% over the rollback millage rate, meaning the BOC maintained the millage rate. “We receive about a third while the School Board receives about two-thirds of property taxes,” Chairman Billy Thurmond said. “We all know that nothing is getting cheaper, and to run a county government requires funding.” Due to multiple rising cost factors, the rate change is considered a marginal tax increase. In practical terms, a home with a fair market value of $525,000 would have a tax increase of approximately $54.08, and it is roughly a $41.20 increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $400,000. Dawson County has remained in the top 10% of lowest countywide property tax millage rates statewide since at least 2019, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue data dating back to 2019. “I wanted to point out a couple of different things,” District 2 Commissioner Chris Gaines said. “Number one, this year was an extreme challenge for both the Tax Assessor’s Office as well as the Tax Commissioner’s Office, due to the additional exemptions that are now applicable in the state.” Gaines referenced the HB 581 legislation, which residents voted “yes” on and approved last year. Georgia House Bill 581, the “Save Our Homes Act,” is a 2024 property tax reform law that creates a statewide floating homestead exemption, limiting annual property assessment increases to the rate of inflation (not allowing inflation to drive up values wildly). “The way that bill works is that the most it can increase is based on inflation and Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers,” Gaines said. Gaines explained that if a resident made zero additions to their house/property with a $200,000 assessed value and multiplied by the millage rate of the previous year, the resident’s value of $200,000 times Dawson County Government ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 the exact same millage rate would keep the value relatively the same. However, since 2025 is the first year HB 581 is in effect, there is no data for how the bill will affect tax revenue. “And not to negate the fact that there was a need for these exemptions,” District 1 Commissioner Seth Stowers said. “At the end of the day, it does not change our need as the Board to fund certain positions, projects, and salary increases.” Stowers stated that the exemptions create a smaller pool of funding, yet the county departments still need to fill necessary positions to meet the demands of a growing community, replace old equipment and vehicles, etc. “We have some new positions to fill and wage increases,” Stowers said. “We continue to have to compete with some larger counties around us that we lose positions to, especially public safety positions. And we are trying to remain competitive in that field.” “And keep in mind, those increases in positions and salaries are to provide services to the citizens,” District 3 Commissioner Alexa Bruce said. “So it’s not just that our employees need higher salaries, but it’s to provide the services to the citizens and plus some.” Bruce said that it’s the Board of Commissioners’ job to provide departments with enough resources to bring services to Dawson County residents. With less funding, there will be fewer services or less-than- adequate services. “That’s where TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) comes in,” District 4 Commissioner Chad Turkett said. “Thanks to the support of Dawson County voters, we have been able to fund major road, bridge, and infrastructure projects through TSPLOST dollars — without raising property taxes. This has been a tremendous help in keeping our community moving forward while protecting taxpayers.” Turkett said that House Bill 581 also plays a role, making sure the property tax system remains fair and transparent, which ties directly back to how the Board manages the county’s budget. Without Special Purpose Local Option Sales Taxes (like TSPLOST) being renewed, the county would lose millions in revenue. When there are losses in revenue, the Board would have to consider other revenue sources to fund road and transportation projects. “That could lead to raising the millage rate,” Turkett said. “A step none of the Commissioners want to take. We want to be clear — our goal is not to raise taxes. Our goal is to continue investing in Dawson County’s future responsibly.” Turkett encouraged all residents to stay informed and engaged, and by doing so, he noted that our community can continue to make the best choices for Dawson County. As per law, the Board of Commissioners held three public hearings on this tax increase in the Assembly Room located on the second floor of the Dawson County Government Center/Courthouse, 25 Justice Way, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (and live-streamed the meetings to Facebook and YouTube). The Dawson County Board of Commissioners held the following special-called meetings: • First meeting: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 11 a.m. for the purpose of holding a public hearing concerning the 2025 millage rate • Second meeting: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 6:00 p.m. • Third meeting: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10 a.m. for the purpose of holding a public hearing concerning the 2025 millage rate ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 • Millage adoption: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10:15 a.m., following the third public hearing meeting