(Lawrenceville, Ga., July 18, 2017) – The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2017 millage rate in a 3-2 vote Tuesday as discussed at three recent public hearings on the proposal.

The annual millage rate and individual annual property assessments determine each property owner’s property tax for County operations. Property tax bills also include school taxes, which are usually the larger portion of the total. For properties within certain cities, the tax bill may also include city taxes for those properties.

The 2017 total County millage rate has been set at 13.51 mills, which reflects a modest increase of 0.334 mills from the 2016 total millage rate 13.176 mills.  The net increase results from an increase in the County M&O (General Fund) rate of 0.574 mills and a reduction of 0.24 mills in the millage for bond debt. One mill equals a thousand dollars of assessed value. The increase results in the owner of a $200,000 home paying about $21 more this year than in 2016.  This figure will vary from home to home, based on valuation changes and exemptions.

In 2008, the value of one mill to County government was approximately $29.4 million. By 2013, it had dropped 20 percent to $23.6 million. In 2017, the value of a mill, approximately $28.9 million, has still not returned to its highest point prior to the economic downturn.

“This millage rate allows us to balance the 2017 general fund budget and set aside funds to begin addressing long-standing hiring and retention issues, especially in law enforcement,” said Chairman Charlotte Nash, adding that mandated responsibilities in the judicial and law enforcement areas accounted for more than 85 percent of the general fund budget increase this year.

Commissioners left millage rates unchanged for other funds including police, fire and emergency services, development and code enforcement, and recreation. “Over the last two or three years, we restored funding to critical functions we cut during the recession and provided needed additional funding for the justice system. We have to continue to focus on functions that are essential to keeping our County competitive and maintaining the quality of life that we all value,” said Nash.

An interactive website feature lets property owners see the value they receive in county services along with an estimate of applicable county, schools, state and city taxes billed by the tax commissioner. A pie chart shows how the County allocates its portion. Look for Where Your Property Taxes Go under the Your Money buttonat www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Today’s action allows the tax commissioner to mail property tax bills as scheduled in mid–August, with payment due in mid-October. Property owners or mortgage lenders can make payments by mail, online, by phone, at the main tax office in person or by using one of the special drop boxes located at tax and tag offices.