DEMOREST, Ga. — Demorest City Council is scheduled to hold public hearings on the city’s proposed 2027 budget and 2026 property tax rate Tuesday before considering resolutions to adopt both measures.
The special called meeting begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center, 250 Alabama St. The agenda also includes an invoice related to drinking water, an inmate housing agreement and renewal of a certificate of deposit.
The budget and millage rate hearings will give residents an opportunity to submit written or oral comments before the Council considers adoption.
Budget adoption on agenda
The Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the city’s fiscal 2027 annual operating and capital budget, followed by consideration of a resolution adopting the budget.
The agenda does not specify the proposed budget’s total or provide a breakdown of projected revenues and expenditures.
Council to consider property tax rate
The Council is also scheduled to hold its final public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2026 millage rate before considering an ordinance to adopt it.
As reported previously, the city has tentatively proposed a rate of 7.60 mills, an increase of 1.048 mills over the rollback rate of 6.552 mills. The city’s public notice describes the proposed change as a 16% property tax increase.
The city estimates the proposed increase would add $83.84 annually in property taxes for a homestead property valued at $250,000, compared with $104.80 for a non-homestead property of the same value. For properties valued at $350,000, the estimated annual increase would be $125.76 for a homestead property and $146.72 for a non-homestead property.
The difference reflects the homestead exemption applied to qualifying owner-occupied properties. The figures are estimates based on the proposed millage increase.
No residents spoke during the first public hearing on the proposed rate at the council’s Oct. 20 meeting. Tuesday’s hearing will provide another opportunity for public comment before the council considers the millage ordinance.
Other agenda items
Council members are scheduled to discuss and consider an invoice from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division related to drinking water. The agenda does not specify the invoice amount or the circumstances behind the charge.
The Council will also consider an inmate housing agreement. The agenda does not identify the agreement’s terms or the parties involved.
A certificate of deposit renewal is also on the agenda. At a previous meeting, council members approved renewing a certificate of deposit with Rabun County Bank and seeking a higher interest rate, with a goal of moving from a 4% base rate to as much as 4.4% or the highest rate the bank would offer. The agenda does not specify whether Tuesday’s item concerns that same certificate.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center, 250 Alabama St.
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