New tax rate set for Oconee County

For the tax year 2013, Oconee County has a new tax rate. And its reflects a two mill tax increase. As recommended by Auditor Ken Nix, County Council approved 73.9 county mills and 141.1 mills for public schools. According to Nix, the Oconee School District sought no increase in funds and its operational and debt millage total the same. While the county’s tax rate was set in rather routine fashion, it was accompanied by words of caution from Nix that the county, in the next few years, should expect a lower assessment upon which the tax bill is figured for Oconee’s top taxpayer, Duke Energy. And that, Nix says, reflects Duke’s spending of investment funds in other areas, such as Cherokee County where new nuclear reactors are being built.