The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners held the second of three public hearings on proposed tax increases on Thursday, August 21, 2025, fielding questions from residents and providing clarification on new state legislation. The hearing focused on property tax increases and the county's plans to offset the rising costs for homeowners.
Seven citizens attended the meeting and three spoke regarding taxes and one asked for information on identifying who their commissioner is.
Public Comment and Commissioner Responses
Local resident Keith Hamilton expressed support for the commissioners' budget proposal, commending them for not raising the millage rate and noting that the current rate of 11.350 is the lowest in the last nine years. He raised questions about the county's significant tax digest increase of $607 million in one year and how much of that increase was due to reassessments versus new development. He also sought clarification on House Bill 581, specifically concerning the homestead exemption and how the consumer price index (CPI) will affect future assessments.
Chairman David Bennett clarified that while they can't answer the specific breakdown of the tax digest increase immediately, they would consult the tax assessor's office for the next hearing. They explained that the county is required by state law to perform reassessments when the tax digest increases by a certain amount, a requirement Bulloch County has met for the last five years. Failure to comply would result in the state invalidating the county's tax digest, preventing them from collecting revenue.
Regarding House Bill 581, the commissioner explained that for properties with a homestead exemption, this year's taxes will be based on the 2024 assessment, not the new, higher 2025 valuation. Next year, the assessed value will be tied to the consumer price index (CPI), with the maximum increase capped at the rate of inflation. This offers significant relief to homeowners facing steep increases in their property valuations. Kristie King, Bulloch County CFO clarified that only five acres qualify for the homestead exemption.
Another resident, Kathy Dixon, echoed support for the commissioners' work but expressed concern about the cumulative financial burden on residents from tax increases by the county, the City of Statesboro, and the Board of Education. She advocated for a sales tax as a fairer way to generate revenue, as it would be paid by both residents and visitors.
Chairman Bennett confirmed that the city and county have passed a resolution to place a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) on the ballot this November. If approved by voters, this 1% sales tax will go directly toward property tax relief, a measure they believe will be a huge step forward for the community.
Resident Arlene Hendrix also voiced frustration with recurring tax increases and the impact on seniors and those on fixed incomes. She questioned why there isn't more advocacy for residents at the state level, particularly regarding the state's discussion of eliminating the income tax, which she fears would lead to a heavier reliance on local property taxes.
Chairman Bennett acknowledged these concerns and stated that they have ongoing conversations with local state legislators. They explained that the county can't legally start a petition using public funds but encouraged citizens to contact their state representatives directly.
Commissioner Comments and Looking Ahead
Before the meeting adjourned, commissioners shared their appreciation for Bulloch County staff and first responders. Commissioner Toby Conner recounted a recent incident at a football game where a young boy was seriously injured, and commended the Bulloch County Fire and EMS departments for their swift and professional response.
Chairman Bennett offered condolences to the Rountree family, who lost a loved one in a recent tragic accident at Highway 46 and Nevils-Denmark Road intersection. He asked the public to also keep first responders in their prayers, acknowledging the emotional toll their work takes. He also praised the county's engineer, Ron Nelson, who also responded to the scene of the accident to inspect the intersection and coordinate with the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) and public works to prevent future tragedies.
Chairman Bennett reminded citizens that the final public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26 at 6 p.m. He also invited community groups to request a commissioner to speak at their meetings to share information and answer questions. "Y'all pay our salaries," the Chairman said, "we work for you."
The meeting was then adjourned.
