Aiken County school board increases millage rate with new budget
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - For the first time in more than a decade, Aiken County’s millage rate is set to increase.
The Aiken County Public School District approved a 2025-2026 budget of $289.9 million that boosts teacher salaries and raises the school operations millage rate by 20 mils.
This means you will be paying a little bit more on your property taxes to cover massive raises for every teacher.
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Districts have the ability to increase school operating millage each year to for increasing costs and salary increase needs.
The decision now means that the millage rate will increase from 134.2 mils to 154.2 mils.
If your primary residence is valued at $100,000, for example, under the old millage rate you paid $536.80.
Under the new millage rate for the same home value, you’ll pay $616.80.
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Every Aiken County public school teacher will get a $2,500 raise plus an annual step increase to keep up with growth.
The district says that an additional 5-mil increase is anticipated annually for 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 to sustain the salary study.
The $289.9 million is 9.88% higher than the current year’s budget of $263.8 million, an increase of nearly $26.1 million.
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The budget ed on a vote of 7 to 1 by the Aiken County Board of Education.
Board member Colen Lindell of District 4 cast the only dissenting vote and board member Brian Silas of District 3 was not present.
The district says that an additional 5-mil increase is anticipated annually for 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 to sustain the salary study.
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These new rates go into effect in August, according to the county tax assessor.
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