Demorest holds the line on millage

DEMOREST - The Demorest City Council will not raise taxes in the coming year.<br /> <br /> During a called meeting and work session Tuesday night, the council voted unanimously to keep the city's millage rate at 8.5.<br /> <br /> Immediately following the vote, Mayor Rick Austin pointed out that property taxes generate only about $212,000 of a $4-million budget.<br /> <br /> "Most of that revenue is generated through sewer and water rates," Austin said.<br /> <br /> He discussed the matter further at the conclusion of the meeting.<br /> <br /> "Tonight the City of Demorest voted to keep the millage at the rate that we had for 2013, which is 8.5," Austin said. "Taxes are not increasing. One of the points that I did point out is that in a $4-million-plus budget property taxes bring in only a little over $200,000."<br /> <br /> Austin said the decision will be good for Demorest residents. <br /> <br /> "We're going to keep that rate the same - no tax increase," Austin said. "Since the digest is down about 1 percent, there's no need for a rollback rate either, so this is going to be a benefit for the citizens."<br /> <br /> Tax bills will be mailed out later this week, Austin said.