Community voices concerns over property tax proposal

(ALBANY, GA) – Dougherty County residents spoke up at Monday morning’s commission meeting in regards to the proposed tax increase.

The property tax increase while not increasing the millage rate for county residents would see a 0.57% increase in property taxes, which some feel could be too much.

“If we continue to raise the taxes on the houses, then we’re not gonna have anybody living here. We see that people are losing their homes because they can’t pay their taxes. And what’s happening is that nobody is re-purchasing those houses,” says county resident, Dr. Amanda Green

Some of the people who spoke at Monday’s commission meeting believe this will just continue to raise the number of blighted properties in Albany.

However, others are concerned about what the proposed tax increase could mean for family members in the city..

Fellow county resident, Gloria Bridges told the commissioners, “My mother, at 92 years old, still staying in the house, saying, ‘baby i can’t afford it’ but we need to find another way.”

While the county has hosted three public hearings on the millage rates, residents are hoping that the increase will lead to help with some blighted properties

“We need to get rid of all of this dilapidated housing and there are some good houses in our neighborhood that just like in Hampton East, you can buy those houses, and people can begin to be homeowners instead of renters,” says Bridges.

The property tax resolution will be be voted on during the commission meeting on Monday, August 31st.