TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) - Tifton property owners will see a lower city millage rate for 2026 after the Tifton City Council approved a rollback Monday night.

The council approved a 2026 millage rate of 6.114 mills, down from 6.262 mills in 2025.

The city’s millage rate has changed over the past three years:

• 2024: 6.236 mills
• 2025: 6.262 mills
• 2026: 6.114 mills

The city’s property tax levy is also expected to decline, from $3.96 million in 2025 to about $3.91 million in 2026.

The city said its General Fund budget has also decreased each year, going from about $20.5 million in 2024 to $19.2 million in 2026.

City officials said keeping property taxes low remains a priority while continuing to provide essential services, including police and fire protection and infrastructure improvements.

A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. In Georgia, a property’s taxable assessed value is generally 40% of its fair-market value before exemptions.

For example, a home valued at $200,000 would have an assessed value of $80,000. At the 2026 city millage rate of 6.114 mills, the city portion of the property tax would be approximately $489.12 before exemptions.

The city noted that the millage rate is only one portion of a property owner’s overall tax bill. Tift County and the Tift County Board of Education set their own millage rates, which are combined with the city rate on property tax bills.

Property taxes account for about 20% of the City of Tifton’s General Fund revenue. That money helps fund public safety, streets and infrastructure, parks and other city services.

City officials encourage residents to review their annual property tax assessments and make sure they are receiving any exemptions for which they qualify.

The Georgia Department of Revenue recommends that residents verify final millage-rate information with the Tift County Tax Commissioner.

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