Tax Year 2026 – Millage Rate Increase – Press Release

Press Release

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

The City of Darien Announces a Proposed Property Tax Revenue Increase

The City of Darien today announces its intention to increase the property taxes it will levy this year by 6.79% over the rollback millage rate.  In other words, the City anticipates an increase in revenues attributable to ad valorem taxes totaling $57,269.00.

Each year, the Board of Tax Assessors is required to review the assessed value of taxable property in the city.  When the trend of prices on property that have recently sold in the city indicate there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the Board of Tax Assessors is required by law to re-determine the value of such property and adjust the assessment.  This is called a reassessment.

When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires that a rollback millage rate must be computed that will produce the same total revenue on the current year’s digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced.

The budget that the City of Darien anticipates adopting requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate. Because the application of that rate will result in increased revenues to the City, Georgia law requires three public hearings to be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on the increase in revenues to the City.

The City of Darien has experienced significant growth in recent years, bringing both opportunities and increased responsibilities. In evaluating the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, the Mayor and City Council carefully considered the impact on taxpayers alongside the City’s obligation to maintain essential services and infrastructure. Factors supporting the proposed millage rate include increased personnel and operating costs, inflationary impacts on goods and services, infrastructure maintenance and replacement needs, and future capital improvement requirements. The Mayor and Council have a demonstrated history of fiscal restraint, reducing from the 2018 millage rate of 3.800 mills and adopting rollback rates in prior years when financially prudent. While the rollback rate remains an important benchmark, relying solely on that rate for Fiscal Year 2027 would reduce the City’s ability to adequately fund municipal operations, maintain infrastructure, and plan responsibly for the future of our city. The proposed millage rate is intended to balance the needs of taxpayers with the City’s responsibility to provide reliable services and protect public assets.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax revenue increase to be held at Darien City Hall, Darien, Georgia on September 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. And on September 24, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. The City intends to adopt a millage rate at a special called meeting on September 24, 2026 after the public hearing.