During the Aug. 13 Bryan County Board of Commissioners meeting, the commission voted to roll back the millage rate from 8.8 to 8.561 mills. This move is designed to offset an increase in property values resulting from reassessment also known as inflationary growth, so this should keep the average property tax rate about the same as last year.

A millage rate is the amount of tax per $1,000 of the assessed value, which is 40 percent of the fair market value, of a property, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue. For a property valued at $100,000, $40,000 of that property is taxed, which would lead to a tax bill of $163.32. If there is homestead exemption on the property, the tax would be even lower.

It marks the third consecutive year that the county has rolled back its millage rate after holding steady at 9.150 in 2014, 2015, 2016. The new rate will be reflected on the tax bills property owners will receive this fall.

“It’s a great position to be in,” County Commission Chairman Carter Infinger said. “Rolling back the millage rate is something we’re happy to be able to do for our citizens. It’s not always possible, due to budget constraints, but when we can save residents money without having to cut back on countywide services, we’re excited to go ahead do it.”

Property taxes fund countywide services that are provided to everyone who lives in Bryan County, regardless of whether they are based in Richmond Hill, Pembroke or unincorporated areas. Those services include the sheriff’s department, courts, the county road system, elections, emergency medical services, libraries, recreation, tax assessor, tax commissioner and more.