Walton County millage rate to stay the same; 3 public hearings scheduled on tax increase

At first glance, Walton County’s two property tax notices that are currently running in the Walton Tribune appear to contradict each other. One says the county is not increasing its millage rate, while the other is labeled a “Notice of Property Tax Increase.“ In reality, both statements are correct under Georgia law.

Walton County plans to keep its property tax rate at 12.278 mills, the same rate adopted last year. The county is not proposing to raise that rate.

However, property values have increased following this year’s reassessments. Under Georgia’s Truth in Taxation law, local governments must calculate a rollback rate—the tax rate that would generate the same amount of revenue from existing property despite higher assessments.

For 2026, Walton County’s rollback rate would be 11.702 mills, but because the county plans to keep its rate at 12.278 mills instead of lowering it to the rollback rate, state law requires it to advertise a “Notice of Property Tax Increase” and hold public hearings.

The legal notice states this represents a 4.92% tax increase, but that does not mean the county raised its millage rate from last year. Instead, it reflects the difference between the proposed rate and the lower rollback rate required by state law.

The three public hearings are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, July 27 and then a third and final one at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4. These will all take place at the Historic Walton County Courthouse located at 111 South Broad Street, Monroe. Citizens are able to attend any or all the meetings.

The example in the legal notice estimates an additional $92.16 in county taxes for a $400,000 home. However, many Walton County homeowners may not see that increase because the county’s floating homestead exemption freezes the taxable value used to calculate county maintenance and operations taxes once a homeowner qualifies.

For many homeowners with that exemption, increases in market value do not automatically result in higher county property taxes.

In short, the county is keeping the same millage rate as last year, but Georgia law still requires the proposed rate to be treated as a “tax increase” because it is higher than the calculated rollback rate. Whether an individual homeowner pays more depends on factors such as exemptions and changes in the property’s taxable value.

The two advertised meetings follow.