Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller recommended and the Commission approved reducing the millage rate for the 5th consecutive year at its meeting on Tuesday, August 19. The new rate will be 9.575, which is a reduction of 0.325 from last year and 10.756 since he took office.

“We’ve been able to lower our millage rate by more than 50% since 2021 and increase spending thanks to better budgeting, more focused and strategic spending, and the voter-approved OLOST,” says Mayor Miller. “I’m proud of our Commission and departments for focusing on our community’s highest priorities and budget and finance teams for making sure they have the resources and funding they need.”

The growth Macon-Bibb County has seen since 2022 is evident in this year’s budget, taking the budget total from $174 million to $219.8 million, and still including a tax reduction. That means the amount of funds collected from property taxes has dropped from $80,868,000 to $54,724,000.

Departments have also received more funds in that time, including public safety increasing more than $28 million, recreation and beautification increasing more than $5.3 million, economic development increasing more than $4.5, and IT increasing by more than $3.4 million.