Millage Rate Increase in Forsyth County

Everyone is watching their spending lately and that includes cities and local governments as well. In order to make ends meet, Forsyth County has raised it's millage rate on property owners. During the final public hearing on the proposed tax hike, the commission approved a net increase in the 2011 millage rate of .785 mills.

The increase will equal about $62.80 more in taxes on a $200,000 home or about $94.20 on a $300,000 home, according to county figures.

The board voted 3-2, with commissioners Jim Harrell (thought too high) and Brian Tam (thought too low) opposed, to increase the maintenance and operations millage rate by .9 mills. The increase is expected to generate about $7.5 million in 2011, which could cover mandates, restore some paid holidays to employees and open Fowler Park.

In summary, commission Patrick Bell says, "We must fund core services such as police protection, judicial services and increased costs to provide for public health, safety and welfare, At the same time, it is important we maintain a reasonably attractive quality of life to remain competitive in the economic development arena."

As a highly Republican county, a lot of people have issues with a tax hike but the county would be operating under a very large deficit if they didn't do something. Is that what we want?