The Oconee County Board of Education has tentatively adopted a total millage rate of 17.0 mills, the same as last fiscal year. Although the millage rate remains the same, the Georgia law requires the 17.0 maintenance and operations millage rate to be advertised as a property tax increase. This is because the assessed value of existing property in Oconee County has increased since last year.

Public hearings are also required, and all citizens are invited to the hearings. The hearings will be held in the Board Room at 34 School Street, Watkinsville on Jul. 25 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., as well as Aug. 6 at 5:30 p.m. 

Maintaining a millage rate of 17.0 mills represents an increase of 0.843 mills. Without this tentative increase, the millage rate would be no more than 16.157 mills, also referred to as a “rollback” rate. The proposed increase equates to $32.04 per $100,000 in assessed value. Taxpayers whose property has not been assigned a higher value will see no change on their school tax bill.

The fiscal year 2019 budget for Oconee County Schools provides resources to accommodate a growing student population – the fastest growing in Northeast Georgia. The primary revenues to support the budget are state funding and the local tax digest. Other budget highlights are as follows: 

• The school system is one of only two county systems in the state to receive a 5/5 financial efficiency rating.

• The total millage rate for Oconee County Schools remains 17.0, which remains the lowest total mill in over a decade.

• Over 77% of the general fund budget goes to direct instruction and instructional support.

• The budget provides salary scale step increases for all eligible employees.

• The budget provides for the opening of a new elementary school, addition of 18 new teaching positions, one paraprofessional, one bus driver, and two supervisory positions to accommodate student population that is projected to exceed 8,000 this school year.