Jackson sets tax rate

Because property values have fallen over the past 12 months and the Jackson County Board of Commissioners set the 2011 property tax rate pretty much at last year’s levels, county taxpayers might actually see lower tax bills this fall than last.

Meeting Friday afternoon, the board set the rate at 9.58 mills for incorporated areas, which is up three one-hundredths of a mill over last year, and at 8.61 mills for unincorporated areas — the same as last year.

The difference between the two sets of rates is because residents of unincorporated areas get a rollback from the proceeds of the insurance premium tax collected by the county. Residents of municipalities do not get that rollback because the cities also collect (and spend) that tax.

Tax bills are expected to go out by Oct. 20, with a due date of Dec. 20.