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Taxes

Community Voice

County $15M debt and property tax hike

Baldwin County faces a roughly $15 million Tax Anticipation Note debt due by December 31, 2026, stemming from years of borrowing, untracked spending, SPLOST overruns, and poor oversight. Interim managers detailed the crisis; commissioners approved a millage rate of 13.26 mills (about a 36% increase) after rejecting a near-doubling proposal amid heavy public backlash over affordability and fixed-income impacts. Recovery talks include cuts, asset sales, and bonds while essential services remain strained.

How should Baldwin County address its $15 million debt and related budget shortfall?

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Sources

Hoodline — https://hoodline.com/2026/09/baldwin-county-weighs-nearly-doubling-property-taxes-to-cover-15m-debt/
Baldwin County weighs nearly doubling property taxes to cover $15M debt
Interim County Manager Paul Van Haute — https://wgxa.tv/news/local/baldwin-county-commissioners-approve-new-1326-millage-rate-despite-public-opposition-baldwin-county-15-millon-dollar-debut-local-government-milledgeville-property-tax-increase-interim-county-manager-paul-van-haute-resignation
baldwin county commissioners approve new 1326 millage rate despite public opposition
WGXA — https://wgxa.tv/news/local/baldwin-county-commissioners-face-backlash-over-15m-debt-and-proposed-tax-hike
Baldwin County commissioners face backlash over $15M debt and proposed tax hike
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Raise taxes substantially and seek state aid to fully protect all services and avoid deep cuts
  2. Support a moderate millage increase plus targeted new fees to stabilize without major service loss
  3. Accept the approved 13.26 mill rate while demanding better reporting and mixed revenue options
  4. Limit any tax rise and prioritize deep spending cuts, hiring freezes, and ending nonessential programs
  5. Reject tax hikes entirely; sell assets aggressively, end TAN borrowing, and slash government size