Public hearings on Snellville tax hike start Monday

Snellville will hold two public hearings Monday so residents can weigh in on a proposed 50 percent tax rate increase.

Faced with a $1.2 million shortfall for fiscal 2011, city officials are considering a property tax hike from 4.15 mills to 6.174 mills. That would equate to an additional $141 on a $175,000 house.

The city runs on a $9.7 million operating budget.

The public hearings will be at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. On June 14, the City Council will hold a third public hearing before setting the millage rate. City leaders are expected to adopt the budget June 21.

Snellville is one of three Gwinnett municipalities considering a tax increase. The others are Duluth and Berkeley Lake.