Despite a slight decrease in property value, the 2010 millage rate will likely remain at 18.80, pending approval by the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education at a called meeting on Oct. 12.

The proposed millage rate was announced by Assistant Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Jim Smith during the regular board meeting Tuesday.

At that rate, property taxes are expected to bring in about $27.5 million for the school system, minus a 2.5 percent collection fee assessed by Spalding County. The final amount would account for about 95 percent of the local revenue in the school system’s general fund in the fiscal year 2011 budget.

Approximately 36 percent of the general fund is made up of local revenue. Another 62 percent comes from state funds, and about 2 percent is generated through federal sources.

The millage rate for the school system has been at 18.80 since 2008.

“We are trying not to put additional burdens on (the community),” said Smith, explaining that when property values go up, the millage rate typically decreases.

Smith said he received final tax digest values from Spalding County on Sept. 23, and they indicated a decreased property value of 1.76 percent — less than the 2.15 percent reduction that was estimated during the budget process.

A final decision on, including possible adoption of, the 2010 millage rate will be made on Oct. 12, when the Board of Education holds a called meeting at 5 p.m. in the board meeting room on South Sixth Street.