New “township” tax rates would be capped at half a mill

State lawmakers are proposing an additional form of local government in Georgia: towns. Townships would have limited powers and limited tax rates. Specifically, the ad valorem millage rate would be capped at no more than 0.5 mills. Town supervisors (which is what the legislation calls them) would need to keep a pretty sharp eye on their property tax digests under this proposal, particularly if a new town started out at the 0.5 mill maximum. Any significant downturn in property values could not be offset by increasing the millage rate beyond the cap. As far as I can tell, towns would be subject to the same balanced budget requirements that cities, counties, and the state face.