Dade County School Board Set for Final Hearing on Proposed Property Tax Increase Monday
The Dade County Board of Education will hold its third and final public hearing Monday afternoon before considering approval of its five-year tax history and tax digest, as the school system moves toward a proposed increase in its property tax rate.
The school board has tentatively proposed a 14.530-mill rate, an increase of one mill from last year’s 13.530 mills. Under Georgia’s required rollback calculation, the proposal is advertised as a 10.49 percent property tax increase.
The proposed increase comes as Dade County Schools works to address a deficit in its fiscal year 2026-27 budget. School officials previously said a millage increase would be needed to generate additional local revenue, with a significant increase in employee health insurance costs contributing to the budget pressure. The district estimated those insurance costs would rise by approximately $2 million.
Three School Board Meetings Monday
The first called meeting begins at 4 p.m. Monday, August 24, at the Dade County Board of Education office, 52 Tradition Lane in Trenton. The agenda includes discussion of the five-year history and tax digest and an opportunity for public input.
A second called meeting begins at 4:30 p.m., when the board is scheduled to consider approval of the five-year history and tax digest.
The school board will then hold its regular monthly meeting at 5 p.m. at the same location.
During the regular meeting, Superintendent Josh Ingle is scheduled to provide several updates, including the latest Georgia Milestones results and an update on capital projects.
The consent agenda includes monthly financial and general fund reports, land surveying services, fundraisers, the FY27 Local Board Governance Training Plan, a Dalton State College MOU renewal, a Dade County Public Library Board of Trustee appointment, a CTAE Perkins V Grant and a fuel bid.
The board is also scheduled to receive public input before considering the consent agenda and later entering executive session for personnel, property, safety and student matters.
The Dade County School District is currently highlighting its Notice of Property Tax Increase on the district’s official website.
Monday’s schedule: the final tax digest hearing begins at 4 p.m., the called meeting to consider the five-year history and tax digest begins at 4:30 p.m., and the regular school board meeting begins at 5 p.m.