J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 2 3 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 6 , N o . 2 6
County proposes to keep property tax rate steady By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County homeowners may pay higher property tax bills as values rise, but the county hopes to ease some of the burden by keeping its tax rate steady for next year.
County staff presented a first glimpse of the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and millage rate – or rax rate – on property, at a Board of Commissioners work session June 20. One mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of a home’s taxable value, which is 40 percent of the property’s overall assessed value. For a home assessed at $250,000,
its taxable value would equal $100,000, and a 4-mill levy would generate a $400 tax liability. If approved, the tax levy would remain unchanged at 7.896 mills since the 2021 budget year. Fiscal years in the county coincide with the calendar year. More than half of the rate, 4.791 mills, is reserved for the county’s opera-
tions and maintenance costs. The County Fire Fund, which includes the Fire Department’s administrative, maintenance, firefighting and capital and contingency costs, accounts for 2.175 mills. The remainder, about 11 percent, is reserved for bond payments.
See COUNTY, Page 10
Vietnam vets group awards scholarships to six local students FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Cumming chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America awarded scholarships to six newly graduated For syth County students at an awards ceremony at the Cumming National Guard Armory June 6. Each $2,500 scholarship issued at the eighth annual event commemorated a Geor gian who was killed in combat during the Vietnam War. Forsyth Central High School graduate Samantha Schoenfeld, who will attend the University of Georgia in the fall, received school funds in memory of U.S. Air Force Sgt. Larry Richard Todd of Chamblee.
A second Forsyth Central graduate, Grace Humphries, is also attending UGA. Humphries was awarded funds in memory of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Army Spc. Donald Ray Johnston of Columbus. Ava Miller, who also graduated from Forsyth Central and will attend UGA, received a scholarship commemorating Army Cpl. Herman Fred Ivey of Lenox. Home-schooled student Gabe St. George received the scholarship recognizing Army Pfc. Joel Ray Kelly of Columbus. St. George will attend Georgia Tech this fall.
See STUDENTS, Page 7
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CUMMING/PROVIDED
From left, graduated Forsyth County high school seniors Samantha Schoenfeld, Gabe St. George, Olivia Edge, Grace Humphries, Lane Cassidy and Ava Miller receive scholarships from the Vietnam Veterans of America Cumming chapter June 6.
Inside: School Board to require parental consent for four library books
ROOF TROUBLE? Ceiling Spots • Rotting • Blistering • Buckling Spots Call For A FREE Roof Analysis – 770.744.5700
Top Rated Appen Rated BBB Angie’s List
99
► PAGE 3
$500 OFF* New Roof Purchase
Cannot combine with any other offer or discount. Valid GA only. Present coupon AFTER getting quote.
*Offer expires 10 days after publication
Roof Repair and Replacement