Baldwin Council Adopts 2025 Millage Rate of 11.990 Mills After Approving FY26 Fee Schedule

In March 2025, the city council reviewed a proposed FY26 fee schedule covering garbage, water and sewer rates along with a General Fund fee schedule listing a millage rate of 9.170 mills, plus fees for zoning map amendments, annexation and homestead exemptions.

The council approved the Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026 on a 4-1 vote, on a motion by Alice Venter seconded by Kerri Davis.

On May 12, the council approved a revision to the FY26 Master Fee Schedule, adding new fees including a Returned Item fee, a New Driveway Permit fee and a Utility Encroachment fee, on a 4-0 vote with Erik Keith seconding.

Over the summer and into fall, the council held a series of public hearings on the 2025 property tax millage rate, weighing options that ranged from a rate that would satisfy the budget up to higher rates, for both the Habersham County and Banks County portions of the city.

On October 16, the council adopted Resolution #2025-10178R setting the 2025 millage rate at 11.990 mills for the Habersham County portion and 7.720 mills for the Banks County portion of Baldwin, on a 3-2 vote, with the resolution as presented including additions for animal control and the finance director.