SNELLVILLE – Mayor and Council have approved a millage rate of 4 mills, the same as it has been for the past four years. Included in the 2025 property tax bills is a separate line item for a new garbage fee of $240 per year.
For years, the city has been covering sanitation fund shortfalls for residential pickup.
The city’s current sanitation contract is coming to an end and projections call for an increase in sanitation costs. Other municipalities have also seen significant increases in fees. The city has funded residential garbage collection out of general fund property taxes for the last 20 years. Since this policy was instituted, the cost of sanitation services has increased substantially and city staff has recommended charging separately for services. City officials say increases have been delayed as long as possible through the pandemic and recent national economic hardships.
“We’ve known for the past five years this day would come,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “Knowing the current rates other cities are facing, we know our costs will increase substantially. We simply cannot continue to fund the shortfall without either a serious increase to the millage rate or adding a flat user fee.”
The new garbage fee will be fully dedicated to covering the cost of residential trash service and will not take the place of the second garbage cart or the city’s recycling program.
Property tax bills will be mailed out once the tax digest is certified by the State of Georgia and provided to local jurisdictions. Once you receive your property tax bill, submit the bottom portion of the front page of the tax bill with your payment. You may pay in person from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall, by check mailed to City of Snellville, Attn: Property Tax, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, GA 3007 or online by credit card at www.snellville.org (convenience fees may apply). For more information call 770-985-3508.