Minutes can be Found on the City Clerk's Page

CURRENT 2016 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY

The City of Blue Ridge will hold a public hearing on the 2017 budget October 11, 2016 at 6:00 pm. Any persons wishing to be heard on the budget may appear. A copy of the 2017 budget is available to the public at Blue Ridge City Hall during regular business hours.

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The City of Blue Ridge has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 3.75 percent. This increase is the result of property reassessments and not an increase in the millage rate from the prior year. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at Blue Ridge City Hall on October 11th at 10:00 am. Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at Blue Ridge City Hall on October 11th at 6 pm and October 18th at 10 am. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 5.479 mills, an increase of 0.198 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 5.281 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $150,000 is approximately $11.88 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $100,000 is approximately $7.92.

The City of Blue Ridge today announces its intention to increase the 2016 property taxes it will levy this year by 3.75 percent over the rollback millage rate.

Each year, the board of tax assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the county. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county 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. The increase in 2016 property taxes is the result of property reassessments and not an increase in the millage rate from the prior year.

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 had no reassessments occurred.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at City Hall, 480 West First Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia on October 11, 2016 at 10 am and 6:00 pm and on October 18, 2016 at 10:00 am.

The budget tentatively adopted by the City of Blue Ridge requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate, therefore, before the City of Blue Ridge may finalize the tentative budget and set a final millage rate, Georgia law requires three public hearings to be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on the increase.

Incorporated in 1886 and located in the northeast corner of Georgia, the City of Blue Ridge is the county seat of Fannin County. The City consists of 2.2 square miles and has a population of 1,290, according to the 2010 census. Named for the southern reach of the Appalachian Mountain Range that stretches into the area, the City of Blue Ridge boasts beautiful mountain views. With key water features, such as Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River, Blue Ridge is the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia. As well as being surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and near the southern tip of the Appalachian Trail, the area draws tourists and outdoorsmen from all over. 

The downtown area boasts quaint shops and eclectic restaurants along with festivals and plenty of activities for residents and tourists all in a small town setting. Tracks for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway bisect the downtown area, with the Scenic Railway itself operating out of the town's historic 100 year old Depot. The downtown area also serves as host for multiple festivals and the City is home to one of the few drive-ins in North Georgia, the Swan Drive-In Theatre.

The City of Blue Ridge operates under the direction of the City Council, which consists of the Mayor and five Council Members, all elected at large. The Council represents the interests of the citizens by adopting public policies and determining the scope of services and tax levels. The Council also approves ordinances, new projects and programs, and adopts the annual budget.

The Water and Sewer Department services approximately 2,500 customers and the Street Department maintains approximately 33 miles of City streets.

Payments made online will be credited next business day

Payments made online will be credited same business day

Payments made online will be credited same business day

 

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