Public outcry from Camden County residents and pushback from political figures have caused the Board of Commissioners to backtrack on a proposed plan to increase the millage rate.

Clay County commissioners planned to raise the current millage rate of 12.1 mills to 14.10 mills, an increase of 2.171 mills or 18.2% more on property taxes.

The current millage rate surpassed the state average.

Residents immediately resisted the change, speaking against it at public hearings. Georgia State Representative Steven Sainz called the need for the increase unjustified, arguing the county’s problem was overspending, not a lack of revenue.

On Tuesday, commissioners announced that it would not pursue the increase and instead consider the rollback rate to save homeowners from another financial burden.

See Full Page