THOMASVILLE — For the fourth consecutive year, Thomas County commissioners approved millage rates that reflect a reduction in property taxes.

“Though the reductions each year have been modest, we are moving consistently in the right direction,” County Manager Mike Stephenson said.

County health benefits and pension plan costs have leveled off, county departments are controlling routine expenses on a regular basis, and sales tax and insurance premium revenues are increasing, he said.

Closing Thomas County Prison this year is projected to reduce operating costs in 2018 by an estimated $500,000, the county manager said, and contracting Emergency Medical Service billing functions with a private provider will result in minimum revenue increase of $500,000 annually.

Also cross-training of firefighters and EMTs will stabilize emergency services personnel costs while increasing service coverage, Stephenson said.

County commissioners also levied the Thomas County Board of Education 2017-2018 school tax millage rate of 14.474, a reduction of .05 mills from the previous year’s millage rate of 14.524. 

“This marks the fifth year in a row that the Thomas County Board of Education has rolled back its school tax millage rate,” said Superintendent Dr. Dusty Kornegay.

The Thomas County School System’s 2016-17 local property tax rate millage rate of 14.524 mills was in the bottom 20 percent of all school districts in the state, ranking 36th out of 180 school systems statewide, Kornegay said.

“It is anticipated that the 2017-2018 school property tax rate will again be among the lowest in the state,” the superintendent said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820