Liberty County commissioners held the first two of three meetings mandated when a tax increase is on the way — but commissioners vowed to do what they can to stem the burden on local property owners. The county has advertised adopting a millage rate that would be more than the rollback rate, the rate the state deems is necessary to apply to the tax digest that will not bring in more property tax revenues than the year before. But commissioners were adamant Tuesday afternoon that their intent is to roll back the millage rate to at least the rollback rate and not increase the property taxes on landowners. “We are not proposing to raise the millage rate,” Chairman Donald Lovette said. “We don’t want to raise the taxes,” Commissioner Timmy Blount said. The county has advertised a proposed millage rate of 19.4, a reduction of 1.5 mills from its current level of 20.9. And commissioners indicated they intend to cut the millage from that level. “We want to lower it,” Commissioner Marion Stevens said. “I don’t want to raise taxes,” Commissioner Eddie Walden said. “I want to lower them, and I think we can.” Commissioners approved a fiscal year budget of $71.3 million — the county’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. The total general fund budget is 4.05% larger than the FY26 budget, or by $2.8 million. “I think the board does a great job of maintaining the delicate balance of funding the requests that come in and lowering the millage for taxpayers,” said county CFO Samantha…
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