COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — Editor's note: The videos above and below are people's opinions ahead of the decision.
Commissioners in Coweta County heard the plea of the people and voted against a millage rate increase of more than 27% on Tuesday night. The proposal has drawn strong opposition from property owners, with residents begging commissioners at previous public meetings to reconsider it.
The decision was made during their third and final public hearing on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Leaders hoped to increase the millage rate from 4.43 to 6.11.
That more than 27% rate hike would have impacted the portion of property owners' tax bills that cover maintenance and operation. Residents like Jeanette Wear shared that they still have many questions before the decision.
“I really would like to hear from people who have researched or know figures that I don’t really know," shared Wear.
County leaders shared that the proposed increase was being made to keep county services operating smoothly. Some of the issues discussed during previous meetings included expanding the jail, addressing the retention of county employees, and responding to inflation.
The district attorney's office is among the county departments that requested additional funds. Before Tuesday's third public hearing, District Attorney Herb Cranford said he would ask the county for funding to help retain staff, citing an increase in caseloads and a need to address a backlog of serious violent felonies.
Meanwhile, more than 7,000 people have signed a petition asking Coweta County Commissioners to vote no on the tax, citing concerns over homeowners' financial stability.