Woodstock passes lowest tax rate in 30 years as other cities seek increases

WOODSTOCK, Ga. - Woodstock homeowners will see a historic tax decrease after City Council approved the 2026 millage rate at its meeting Monday night.

By the numbers:

Chief Financial Officer Ron Shelby presented the proposal, noting that last year’s maintenance and operations rate was 5.223 mills. Strong growth in the 2025 tax digest, driven by new construction and exemptions, exceeded projections with a net value increase of 5.03 percent.

"One mill in Woodstock is worth almost $2.6 million," Shelby said. At the state-calculated rollback rate of 5.093 mills, the city would generate about $731,000 more than budgeted. An alternative of 5.065 mills, he explained, would still reduce taxes by 0.55 percent while bringing in $657,000 in new revenue for growth and services.

For an average hom