HIAWASSEE, GA – Towns County, Hiawassee, and Towns County Board of Education are expected to accept the millage rollback rates for 2019.

Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw announced the news Aug. 20 at his monthly courthouse meeting. ‘We are not going to raise our taxes,” Bradshaw said. “We are going to accept the rollback.” The county millage rate and property tax digest is expected to soon be released. Bradshaw included that a Towns County tax increase has not occurred in over a decade, reminding that county additions have since been constructed. “Foster Park wasn’t here, and that’s a lot of electricity, a lot of water, and extra employees up there,” Bradshaw said, adding that the county has been able to properly budget thus far without jeopardizing services.

Hiawassee Mayor Liz Ordiales additionally proposed adoption of the 2.095 millage rollback before the city council Aug. 26. The rate will collect $8608 in tax revenue, a 4.93 percent spike over 2018 due to an increase in the tax digest. Hiawassee City Council is scheduled to set the millage rate Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at Hiawassee City Hall.

Towns County Board of Education is expected to adopt the rollback millage of 7.477, generating an increase of $32,693 over 2018. Towns County Board of Education will set the 2019 millage rate Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Towns County School Auditorium. Superintendent Darren Berrong expressed confidence in the board’s ability to operate without a tax increase.