Robins voters agree to raise taxes to 2023 rate

Voters in Robins agreed in a special election Tuesday to restore the city’s property tax rate to the fiscal 2023 level of $6.57 per $1,000 of taxable value after it had been “mistakenly” lowered to $4.36.

According to unofficial results, 402 voters — or about 59 percent — agreed to restore the levy and 279 voters — about 41 percent — wanted to keep it at the lower rate. According to the city, $553,602 now will be added to the general fund in fiscal 2026.

“Service and staff reductions will be avoided and contributions to reserve funds will resume,” the city said in a message on its website.

The city said in its message that the rate had been “mistakenly” lowered to an “unsustainable level” for fiscal 2024. While the city said it was able to meet expenses, it was it was not able to contribute to its reserve fund and faced questions about how it would pay for growth in the police, fire, parks and other city departments.

“Looking to the future, without additional funding, the City may have to reduce or eliminate services in these departments,“ it warned.

Under a 2023 state law on property tax reform, House File 718, the city was required to put the tax increase to a public vote.