Almost three decades have passed since city of Dawsonville residents have seen a property tax increase. The tradition will continue at least one more year.

The Dawsonville City Council voted unanimously Aug. 4 to certify the city’s millage rate at 9.84. Immediately following the vote, the board also agreed to roll the rate back to zero, so that city residents once again will not see a tax increase this year.

Governments determine millage rates by calculating the dollar amount needed to fund operations for the year. The total is then divided by the net tax digest provided by the county’s tax commissioner.

In Georgia, ad valorem taxes, also known as property taxes, are levied on 40 percent of the net tax digest amount. The taxes are then used to provide government services, such as road, water and sewer improvements, administration and infrastructure.

City Clerk Kim Cornelison said the city council feels no need at this time to impose an ad valorem tax, because the council has no plans to develop additional government services at this time.

“We have a service delivery strategy in place for fire, EMS and police service. We have no desire to start any of those services; therefore, it is not necessary to impose ad valorem taxes,” she said.

The city of Dawsonville’s last tax increase was approximately three decades ago, according to city council meeting minutes. On Oct. 6, 1981, the city council, made up of Mary Smith, Carol Taylor, Gordon Weaver and Mike Sosebee, voted unanimously to eliminate city property tax in anticipation of an upcoming local option sales tax. Howard Roper was mayor at the time.

Records indicate there has not been a property tax increase, aside from the slight increases property owners have seen after having their property values reassessed, for city of Dawsonville residents since then.

E-mail Michele Hester at michele@dawsonnews.com.