Notice to Tax Payers in the Statesboro Fire District

 

The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners is issuing this notice in an effort to minimize the confusion created by the prior property tax notices for the Statesboro Fire Tax District (see map) published in the Statesboro Herald on July 22 and 29, 2008. We ask that you please keep in mind that the language used in those notices are required by state law which lends to the confusion as to how much more tax is actually supposed to be paid. The increase in the fire tax district will not increase your total tax bill at this rate.  It is true that the millage rate for the fire district is increasing by 28.57%.  However, the overall millage rate for the fire district is increasing by only 1.8%.  If you have property in Bulloch County outside of the fire tax district, you will see no increase in your millage rate!

 

In the table below, you will notice the millage rates applied by each taxing jurisdiction within the Statesboro Fire District.  Your total tax bill will be determined by the total of those millage rates. The total millage increase will rise from 22.04 mills to 22.44 mills in the fire tax district.

Tax Millage Rates Applied to the Fire District

Jurisdiction

2007 Millage Rate

2008 Proposed Millage Rate

Rate of Millage Increase

State of Georgia

0.25

0.25

0.0%

Board of Education

9.45

9.45

0.0%
Board of Education (Debt)
0.50
0.50
0.0%

Bulloch County

10.44

10.44

0.0%

Fire District (served by the City of Statesboro)

1.40

1.80

28.57%

 TOTAL

22.04

22.44

1.8%

  

The table below illustrates examples of the actual effect in percentage terms and dollars for different levels of assessed property values.  To simplify the example, we did not include other exemptions or reductions that may further reduce your actual tax liability.  For example, a house valued at $150,000 would pay an additional $24 in property taxes in 2008, while a house valued at $200,000 would pay an additional $32.

 

Assessed Value

Taxable Value(1)

2007 Millage Rate

2007 Tax(2)

2008 Millage Rate

2008 Tax(3)

Tax Increase(4)

Rate of Increase(5)

$100,000

$40,000

22.04

$881

22.44

$897

$16

1.8%

$150,000

$60,000

22.04

$1,322

22.44

$1,346

$24

1.8%

$200,000

$80,000

22.04

$1,763

22.44

$1,955

$32

1.8%

(1) Assessed Value X 40 percent.

(2) Assessed Value X (2007 Millage Rate / 1,000)

(3) Assessed Value X (2008 Millage Rate / 1,000)

(4) 2008 Tax minus 2007 Tax

(5) Tax Increase divided by 2007 Tax

-----------------------------------------------

 

It should be understood that the proceeds from this tax and this tax increase are forwarded to the City of Statesboro upon collection in order for the Statesboro Fire Department to provide fire suppression in this district. 

 

In conclusion, despite our obligation to present the original notices as required by law, we are concerned about the confusion regarding prior notices. We are committed to making sure that everyone understands why the fire tax increase is needed, and how much it costs.  The Board of Commissioners invites all concerned citizens to the two remaining public hearings to be held in the Community Room of the Bulloch County North Main Annex at 115 North Main Street Statesboro, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 5th, at 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM.

 

Persons who are unable to attend the hearings, but have questions concerning the increase should contact Thomas Couch, County Manager at (912) 764-6245 prior to the hearing.  Persons with hearing disabilities can contact us by using the Georgia Relay Service at (TDD) 1-800-255-0056 or (Voice) at 1-800 255-0056.