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The Floyd County Commission got an earful from constituents complaining about property taxes during a public hearing on setting the millage rate.

This was the first hearing on raising the millage rate to 9.5 mills, an increase of 0.546 mills. It would effectively raise the Floyd County portion of property tax bills approximately 6.1%.

During caucus Tuesday, commissioners expressed frustration regarding complaints about property tax increases, as they control only one portion of the total bill.

Several speakers expressed outrage during the hearing about how the county arrived at its property valuations.

County Manager Jamie McCord made a small presentation explaining how property taxes are set. He noted that the state mandates how properties are valued and said that leaves counties with little wiggle room.

“This board doesn’t assess the value of your property,â€� McCord said. “ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý done automatically, using a formula, when a nearby home is sold; thatÐÔÊӽ紫ý how the value is set.â€�

Also during caucus, Commissioner Scotty Hancock spoke about how rising property valuations are a cause of significant concern among county commissioners across the state.

“We’ve heard concerns from property owners about valuations for a long time,� Hancock said. “And we are working with our local and state legislators to talk about this problem and the pressure being placed on our property owners.�

Also attending the hearing was state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, who sponsored HB 581 in his chamber. It is designed to bring property tax relief through a 1-cent sales tax, which will be voted on in November.

“This 1-cent tax, if approved, can only be used to provide property tax relief,� Hufstetler said. “So, property tax relief is on the horizon.�

County commissioners, during caucus and the regular meeting, repeatedly reminded attendees that the county is only one of three taxing authorities in Floyd County.

“This board is only responsible for the Floyd County portion of your tax bill,� McCord said. “There are other taxing authorities: Floyd County Schools and the city of Rome.�

McCord stated that the county is looking at multiple ways to reduce the budget, including possible cuts in services.

“People like their county services until itÐÔÊӽ紫ý time to raise the millage rate,â€� he said. “Everything has gotten more expensive across the board, and salaries are part of that.â€�

The county, like the city of Rome, increased salaries for most employees within the last year as multiple departments had issues retaining staff.

“We can’t pay CDL drivers what they pay in the private sector, not even close,� McCord said. “And asphalt is quadruple what it was 20 years ago; everything has gone up.�

There will be two more public hearings on the millage rate before the county commission votes, both on Aug. 12. The first will be at 8 a.m. and then later at 6 p.m. before the regular county commission meeting.

Both public hearings will be held in the Community Room, Suite 206 of the Floyd County Administration Building, 12 E. Fourth Ave.