Correction: The net tax digest dropped by $481 million from 2009 to 2010, not the $21 million figure that was improperly included in the original story. The $481 million reduction represents a nearly 17 percent year-to-year reduction; this figure was correct in the original story. The 2010 net digest is $2.36 billion; the 2009 net digest was $2.84 billion.
The Covington News strives to have its news reports be fair and accurate. It is our policy to promptly correct all factual mistakes. If you find an error, please report it to us by calling (770) 787-6397.
During the county’s recent budget discussions, there was fierce debate about whether adopting the county’s 10.9 rollback millage rate would result in a tax increase. The answer is: for some property owners it will and for others it won’t.
Nearly every property in the county was devalued by some amount, as the overall tax digest dropped nearly 17 percent, or $481 million. Some residences, like many in Porterdale, were devalued by 60 percent or more, while others dropped by only 5 percent. As a result, even with increased millage rates, these owners will pay less in taxes this year.
However, many businesses either saw no decrease in values or very small decreases, so many of them will pay more.
To give owners and readers a sense of what to expect in 2010, The News with the help of Newton County Tax Commissioner Barbara Dingler presents the table below. A variety of residential and business properties are included, along with their 2009 and 2010 property values and the amount of property taxes paid.
Many of Newton County’s smaller municipalities have yet to finalize their 2010 millage rates, but only properties in Covington, unincorporated Newton County and Porterdale are included in the table. Covington, 8.208, and Newton County, 10.91, have both approved their rates, and Porterdale is expected to adopt a 17.518 rate, up from its previous 9.156 rate.
To find the assessed value of any property in Newton County visit the Newton County Tax Assessor’s website at qpublic.net/ga/newton/index.html and to find the amount of property taxes paid in any previous year visit the tax commissioner’s website at newtoncountytax.com.
