Inside Hamilton County’s $1.1 billion budget

By William Newlin

Last week, the Hamilton County commissioners unanimously approved a $1.1 billion budget and a new property tax rate for the upcoming year. Here’s what it means for residents’ tax bills and where those tax dollars are going.

Tax rate goes down — but don’t expect a lower bill

The county’s tax rate will be the lowest since 1941, county property assessor Marty Haynes told commissioners at their June 18 meeting. The figure is about two-thirds what the rate was last year. But that doesn’t mean tax bills will fall by the same amount. 

Most homeowners will owe Hamilton County about as much as they did last year. That’s because home values rose historically following this year’s countywide property reappraisal. The new, lower rate counteracts that growth — by adopting it, county commissioners decided not to collect any of the additional tax revenue available from higher property values.

How to calculate your tax bill

1. Find the assessed value of your property by searching your address here
2. Divide the assessed value by 100 and multiply that by the new tax rate, which is 1.5157

As an example, a home appraised at $300,000 has an assessed value of $75,000. Under the new tax rate, the bill would be $1,136.80.

The county will begin sending tax bills on Oct. 1, and they’re due by Feb. 28, 2026.

Where will the $1.1 billion go?

At nearly $700 million, the Hamilton County Schools budget is by far the county’s biggest expense. Superintendent Justin Robertson presented commissioners with a balanced, school board-approved budget last month.

The school district expects to receive the same amount of local tax dollars as last year, although additional state funding has boosted HCS’s operating budget by about $17 million.

Funds for county services and administration, from the mayor’s office to the property assessor, health department, public works, public safety, and the court system, make up the $332 million county general fund.

Other major county costs:

• Sheriff’s office and jail ($71.2 million)
• Emergency medical services ($20.6 million)
• Health and social services ($29.3 million)
• Highway management ($15.5 million)

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Contact William at william@chattamatters.com