MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon-Bibb County property owners could soon feel the impact of a higher tax bill. On Friday, the county commission held the first of three public hearings after tentatively adopting a millage rate that a millage rate that sits 9.28% above the rollback rate and counts as a tax increase under Georgia law. Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller says the county plans to keep the millage rate steady to avoid cuts to essential public services. Miller says maintaining current funding is necessary to maintain pay for police officers and firefighters, and support public safety obligations. “For some people, that means they will pay a few dollars more,” he said. “For some, they will pay the same, for some people, they will pay less money. It’s also important to realize that if you take all the taxes in Macon-Bibb County: property taxes, including commercial and residential, you have about$67 million, and that barely pays for the sheriff’s office. You can see that we’re very public safety minded and heavy on our budget, and if you add the fire department to that, you’re over $100 million.” Miller pointed to the rising cost of fuel as one challenge, mentioning the recent hiring of more law enforcement officers. “Those that have automobiles ride around each and every day in those cars, and we know how much our fuel cost has gone up,” he said. “When we fill up the tank, well their cost has gone up too for us. Our utility cost is your utility cost. We pay for storm…
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