Because of a decrease in the 2007 tax digest, the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes of just over 10 percent. And because of the proposed increase in taxes, three public hearings have been scheduled to allow public input.

The actual property tax increase would be 10.50 percent in the incorporated areas of the county and 10.04 percent in the unincorporated areas, according to the county's ad- vertisement published elsewhere in this issue. The announcement was made by County Administrator David Tyler at last Thursday's regular meeting of the Commissioners.

"The tax digest was presented to us this morning and it's down just a little bit," Tyler explained. "Last year when the millage rate was set, the digest was some $329 million. But there were some errors found and corrections made that reduced the digest to about $319 million. Now it's down to $315 million partly the result of conservation exemptions and different things," he said.

The reduction in the tax digest forces the increase in the millage rate in order to meet the county's budget. "As a result, the millage rate for 2007 is proposed at 9.751 for the unincorporated area of the county and 10.378 for the incorporated area," Tyler announced.

Because of the increase the law requires three public hearings. The first two of those hearings will be held on Thursday, October 25, at 10 a.m. and at 6:30 p.m. The final hearing will be on Thursday, November 1, at 1:30 p.m., followed immediately by a called meeting of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners to formally adopt the millage rate.

In other business the commissioners handled the following items of business.

Linda Echols, manager of an elderly and disabled complex in Washington and a member of the Area Agency on Aging, encouraged the commissioners to attend the agency's annual holiday luncheon in December. People were unaware of last year's meeting and only two from Wilkes County were there, she explained, "so I'm looking for a big Wilkes County attendance this year."

Hardy was appointed to serve on the Regional Mental Health Board which has not had a Wilkes County representative for some time. She pointed out the importance of having a local representative on the board, noting that "funding has been cut and we lost our officehere. There is someone here only once a week and then only to dispense medicine," she said. The facility serves some 300+ Wilkes County patients.

Bertha Sims was appointed to serve on the Regional Development Center's Advisory Council.

Mike Eskew and Moore were appointed to serve on the UnifiedDevelopment Authority.

The wording in one paragraph of the county's mobile home ordinance was corrected to clarify the meaning and to conform to the original intent of the ordinance which allows the movement of a mobile home within the county only if that mobile home is less than 15 years old. The ordinance also prohibits any mobile home older than 10 years from coming into the county.

Moore reminded everyone that there is a statewide ban on outdoor water use due to current severe drought conditions. He urged everyone to conserve water however possible.

Tyler reported that $124,750.29 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax had been received for the month of July and that $80,955.08 in Local Option Sales Tax had been received for the same month.

The commissioners voted to allow Civil War Heritage Trails to proceed with the installation of a marker on The Square noting a point on the Jefferson Davis Trail.

Tourism Director Ashley Barnett reported on various happenings and upcoming events in Washington, Tignall, Rayle, and the area.

Chief Deputy Mike Sisson requested $2,654.00 to pay the balance on the cost of educational materials for students and parents concerning substance abuse. The request was approved using funds collected and earmarked by the courts.