A u g u s t 2 1 , 2 0 2 5 | 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 0 , N o . 3 4
Property tax rate dips to historic low for Milton residents By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Milton quarterback Derrick Baker loses his helmet after a run against a stiff Buford defense Aug. 15 at Phillip Beard Stadium.
Milton opens season with loss to Wolves By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com BUFORD, Ga — The Milton Eagles’ comeback fell short Aug. 14, dropping the season opener to the Buford Wolves, 20-13 in the inaugural game at Buford’s $62 million Phillip Beard Stadium. It was Milton’s first loss in nearly two years and the first time losing to Buford since 2019. Snapping a 25game win streak required Buford to capi-
talize on several Eagle mistakes. Buford, ranked No. 13 in the country by MaxPreps, has a loaded senior class with eight SEC commits. Quarterback Dayton Raiola is committed to Nebraska, as well. Facing a defense that forced four turnovers, the Eagles never trailed by more than two scores, remaining neck-and-neck with Buford until the final minute of the game. Eagles quarterback Derrick Baker was the primary target of the Wolves’ defense.
Baker said at practice the day before the matchup that Phillip Beard will be the biggest stadium he has played in. Throughout the game, Baker had to step out several times when his helmet was knocked off during play. The native of Naples, Florida, threw 6-for-15 for 1 touchdown and two interceptions and rushed for 78 yards in his first game in an Eagles jersey.
MILTON, Ga. — Milton officials voted unanimously Aug.11 to adopt a property tax rate of 4.193 mills, a 4.47 percent decrease from last year and lowest in the city’s history. The city anticipates the adopted millage rate will bring in $17.7 million. The levy, adopted after three public hearings, is expected to shave about $68 from the local tax bill of a person who owns a home valued at $900,000. The savings are based on the lower millage rate, local homestead exemptions and whether the home has gained no significant value over the past year. One mill generates $1 per $1,000 of an assessed property’ value, which is equal to 40 percent of its fair market value.
See TAX, Page 21
County officials preview water, sewer rate increase ► PAGE 6
See FOOTBALL, Page 20
SAM SAM DIVITO DIVITO
404.803.5999 404.803.5999| |Sam@HOMEgeorgia.com Sam@HOMEgeorgia.com
CAROLINE CAROLINE NALISNICK NALISNICK 404.513.9226 404.513.9226| |Caroline@HOMEgeorgia.com Caroline@HOMEgeorgia.com