The City of Canton will advertise a 2026 millage rate of 6.000 mills as part of the annual budget and property tax process. Advertising this rate allows the City Council to hold the required public hearings and maintain flexibility while final tax digest, fire service cost, and budget information are reviewed.

The advertised rate is not the final adopted rate. Instead, it establishes the maximum rate City Council may consider during the public hearing process. Council may adopt a lower rate after reviewing updated information and receiving public input.

The preliminary tax digest provided by the Cherokee County Tax Assessor shows $123,790,940 in new construction growth, along with negative inflation of $11,819,564 on existing properties. Based on this initial data, a millage rate of 5.276 mills would be considered revenue neutral, compared to the current rate of 5.25 mills.

City officials noted that the digest remains preliminary and does not yet include appeals from property owners as assessment notices are just now being processed. These factors may affect the City’s final revenue projections.

The City is also monitoring a potential increase in fire service costs. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services has indicated it may seek to increase the fire millage rate from 2.888 mills to 3.292 mills. If approved, that change would increase the applicable cost to the City for fire services by approximately 18 percent.

Because Canton absorbs the fire district tax into its millage rate due to restrictions related to the City’s senior tax exemption, changes to the county fire rate have a direct impact on the City’s overall millage rate and budget planning.

Advertising a rate above 5.276 mills requires three public hearings under state law. By advertising 6.000 mills now, the City can complete the required public hearing process on schedule and provide the final adopted rate to the Cherokee County Tax Commissioner by the first week of August for inclusion in property tax bills.

“Advertising this rate protects the City’s timeline and gives Council the ability to consider all available information before making a final decision,” said City Manager Billy Peppers. “It also ensures residents have the opportunity to participate through the required public hearings before any millage rate is adopted.”