Lyerly residents may get a surprise when they see their property tax bills within the coming weeks.

Not only is the Georgia General Assembly passing along a tax hike, but also the Town of Lyerly proposes to also get into residents’ wallets a little deeper.

     “How much are you thinking about raising it?” Councilman William Bell asked the town clerk Leesa Manley.

“It will go from 7.239 to 8 mills which is a 10.42-percent increase, which on average will be about $10 to $11 increase on your taxes,” Manley said.

     “We don’t have to. The state doesn’t recognize city or municipality tax digests so therefore it is not required. But the council has decided to do it as a courtesy,” Manley said.

     Residents will get their chance to voice their opinion about the millage rate hike at three different meetings. The first is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sept. 18. The others are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sept. 28.

     Lyerly homeowners will notice a bigger increase more than just landowners and rental house owners. Those with homestead exemptions will see about a $200 increase in their property bills because of the Georgia General Assembly taking away the homestead exemption.