Because of recent positive revenue received by the Town of Sumrall, the Sumrall Board of Aldermen is soon expected to lower the town’s millage rate – which will in turn lower the amount of property taxes for residents – as well as provide pay raises to town employees.
Mayor Joel Lofton said board members are expected to make that move at the September 5 regular meeting, in advance of the new Fiscal Year budget that will take effect October 1.
“Our revenues have been strong and steady,” Lofton said. “The increased revenue in particular this year is related to a formulation change that was made by the (Lamar County) Tax Assessor’s Office.
“The economy has recently been in a trend where living is more expensive, and once again, all of our employees will be receiving a (pay) increase. We’re very fortunate to be able to do that; we’ve got some great employees, and we want to incentivize working for our town and make sure that our folks stay and continue to do the good work they’re doing now.”
The current millage rate – which determines property tax – in the Town of Sumrall is approximately 36; officials expect to be able to lower that number to approximately 31.7 at next month’s meeting.
One mill is equal to one-tenth of a cent. To calculate property tax, divide the millage by 1,000 and multiply it by the property’s assessed taxable value.
In Sumrall’s case, for example, the owner of a $100,000 home under the current millage rate pays approximately $3,6000 in property taxes. After the millage decrease, that amount will drop to approximately $3,170 per year.
Those numbers take into consideration only millage for the Town of Sumrall and do not include millage for Lamar County or the Lamar County School District.
“We’re very fortunate as a town, in a great community, that people are continuing to shop local,” Lofton said. “That has helped our local tax base tremendously, through sales tax.
“We continue to experience growth, which has grown our ad valorem tax base, which we receive a portion of. All these things combined have put us in a terrific position so that each year we’re able to do good work for the citizens, continue to help our employees make a good living.”
The changes will still allow town officials to end the year with a positive balance in the budget.
“If we’re being good stewards of the resources that folks have elected us to manage, it’s only right that we do what we’re doing,” Lofton said.
