Residents of the Town of Trion will have an opportunity Thursday to voice their opinions on a proposed property tax increase, with two public hearings scheduled as town officials consider the 2026 property tax rate.

The first two hearings will be held Thursday, November 5, at 10 AM and 5 PM in the Town of Trion Conference Room. A third and final public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, at 6 PM.

The town is proposing a property tax increase of 5.96 percent over the rollback rate, even though the proposed millage rate of 10.781 mills is lower than the previous year’s rate.

That may sound confusing, but the difference comes down to how property taxes are calculated.

A mill represents one dollar in property taxes for every $1,000 of taxable assessed property value. When property values increase because of reassessments, a local government can sometimes collect more property tax revenue even without raising its millage rate.

Georgia law requires local governments to calculate what is known as the rollback rate. That’s the millage rate that would generally produce the same property tax revenue from existing property as the previous year, excluding certain changes such as new construction.

If a government adopts a millage rate higher than the rollback rate, it is considered a property tax increase under Georgia’s tax laws, even if the new rate is lower than the previous year’s millage rate.

In Trion’s case, the proposed rate of 10.781 mills represents a 5.96 percent increase over the calculated rollback rate.

According to the town’s published figures, the proposed increase would mean approximately $19.45 more annually in property taxes for a home with a fair market value of $175,000, assuming the applicable assessment and exemption figures used in the town’s notice.

The actual amount a property owner pays will depend on the property’s assessed value and any exemptions that apply.

The public hearings provide residents an opportunity to ask questions, express concerns and learn more about the proposed tax rate before the town makes its final decision.

Again, the hearings are Thursday, November 5, at 10 AM and 5 PM, with a third hearing scheduled Thursday, November 12, at 6 PM, at the Town of Trion Conference Room.

Residents who have questions about the proposed property tax increase are encouraged to attend.