WOODSTOCK, GA – At Monday night’s meeting, Woodstock City Council voted to approve a historic tax decrease for city property owners. Chief Financial Officer Ron Shelby presented Woodstock’s Mayor and Council with the proposed FY 2026 millage rate, outlining the city’s property tax outlook and highlighting the potential for a historic tax decrease.
Shelby began by reviewing a 32-year history of the city’s millage rate, noting that last year’s rate for maintenance and operations (M&O) was 5.223 mills. Strong growth in the 2025 tax digest exceeded budget estimates, with new construction and exemptions resulting in a net value growth of 5.03%, double the 2.5% growth projected in the FY 26 budget.
“One mill in Woodstock is worth almost $2.6 million,” Shelby explained. At the state-calculated rollback rate of 5.093 mills, the city would generate approximately $731,000 more than budgeted. Shelby also presented an alternative of 5.065 mills, which would amount to a 0.55% M&O tax reduction while still producing $657,000 in new revenue to account for growth and service needs.
For the average Woodstock homeowner, that rollback rate would mean a property tax bill of about $764 on a $368,000 non-homesteaded home or $1,018 on a $493,000 homesteaded property.
Shelby also addressed the voter-approved parks bond, passed in November 2023. The bond issuance in 2024 funds improvements to parks and trails citywide. Debt service for FY 26 will rise to $1.2 million, requiring a rate of .50 mills, up from .454 last year.
This translates to $75 for the average $375,000 non-homesteaded home or $100 for the average $500,000 homesteaded home.
Mayor Michael Caldwell emphasized the significance of the proposal. “This would be the lowest tax rate Woodstock has had in at least 30 years, roughly half of what it was three decades ago,” he said. “And for the sake of clarity, this is not just a rollback. This is an actual tax decrease.”
According to Caldwell, Woodstock’s strong downtown development and surging business revenues, more than doubling in five years, have enabled the city to simultaneously invest in services and reduce the burden on residents. Mayor Caldwell praised both Council and staff for their fiscal stewardship.
“At a time where City Council has made the largest investments in infrastructure, parks and trails, police, fire, and just about everything that matters to the citizens of this city, they have also lowered taxes to the lowest point that we have seen in decades, and we saw our credit rating increase at the same time,” said Caldwell. “If anyone wondered what stellar governance looks like, this is it. This Council has shown they are willing to make the investments that matter and not spend a dime more than what is needed to do it.”
About the City of Woodstock
Located just 30 miles north of Atlanta, Woodstock is a vibrant city known for its thriving downtown, abundant parks and trails, and strong sense of community. With a growing population and a commitment to smart, sustainable development, Woodstock continues to be one of the most desirable places to live in Georgia.