Dalton, school system propose tax rates above rollback rates

Two proposals

The City of Dalton and Dalton Public Schools are proposing tax rates above their rollback rates. The proposals involve two separate local government bodies: the city and the public school system.

A rollback rate is a comparison point used when a government sets a property-tax rate. Because both proposed rates are described as being above their rollback rates, residents have questions about the rates being considered by the city and the school system.

What residents are being asked to follow

The city proposal and the school-system proposal should be considered separately. The City of Dalton sets its own tax rate, while Dalton Public Schools sets the rate used for the school system. The two proposals are not presented as a single tax-rate decision.

The central issue is whether each body will adopt the proposed rate above its rollback rate. The information available here does not establish the proposed millage rates, the rollback rates, the effect on a particular property-tax bill or the dates for any public meetings or final votes.

Questions for the public

Residents can ask the City of Dalton and Dalton Public Schools to identify the proposed rate, the applicable rollback rate and the change those figures would make for taxpayers. They can also ask when each body will hold any required public steps and when each proposal will receive a final decision.

The two proposals create separate local tax questions for Dalton residents: one involving city government and one involving the public school system. The next developments are the formal details and process for each body’s proposal.