2006 property taxes
Commissioners set millage rates
By Diana Royal Staff Writer

After three public hearings with little participation, the Burke County Board of Commissioners adopted the millage rates for 2006 property taxes.

The millage rate for unincorporated areas was set at 5.630; incorporated areas, 6.056; fire district, 2.947; and school board, 12.75.

The rates were adopted last Wednesday, Jan. 3, during the commissioners' third hearing on the matter. Commissioners Wayne Crockett, Henry Tinley and Alphonso Andrews were in attendance. No members from the public were present.

During the first hearing held on Dec. 27, a handful of citizens were present, and Butch Storm addressed the commissioners, saying he had heard only that the public was satisfied with keeping the tax rates stable while being able to purchase two new ambulances and give the employees raises.

The commissioners adopted the $15,921,438 budget for the county's general fund in October, and while that is nearly a half-million more than the previous year's, taxpayers will see little difference in their bills.

According to county admin- istrator Merv Waldrop, the county's general fund and fire fund millage decreased by a combined 0.125 mills.

The impact on an average tax bill for a house in an unincorporated area valued at $50,000 will go from $174 per year to $172 per year, Waldrop said. For property valued at $100,000, the bill will decrease from $348 to $343.