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Rockdale County Lowers Millage Rate

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
August 20, 2025

Rockdale County Lowers Millage Rate

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners held a public meeting to vote on the proposed millage rate for the 2025 tax year on Tuesday, August 19 at 6 p.m. This decision directly impacts 2025 property tax rates for residents and businesses.

The millage rate is the rate used to calculate local property taxes. One mill represents $1 in tax per $1,000 of assessed property value. This rate is set annually by local government authorities and directly affects how much residents pay in property taxes.

The setting of the millage rate involves multiple local entities, including:

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners
Rockdale County Board of Education
City of Conyers

Each entity sets its portion of the overall millage rate. The Board of Commissioners’ vote determines the County’s share, which helps fund essential services like public safety, court services, road maintenance and county operations.

Current County Millage Rate: 18.69
New 2025 County Millage Rate: 18.284

This reduction is part of the BOC’s ongoing efforts to respond to residents’ concerns about affordability and financial transparency.

“Lowering the millage rate is a direct response to what our residents have been asking for. It’s a step toward building trust and making Rockdale County more affordable for everyone,” said Chairwoman JaNice Van Ness.

“We’ve heard our community, and this moment is about honoring that trust,” said Commissioner Doreen Williams.

“This vote reflects our ongoing promise to serve the people of Rockdale and to put the community first,” said Commissioner Tuwanya Smith.

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Rockdale County Code Enforcement Earns National Achievement Award

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2025

Rockdale County Code Enforcement Earns National Achievement Award

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County’s Code Enforcement Division was recently recognized for their creation of a digital automation tool, which transforms a manual process into a streamlined digital workflow.

“I am proud to announce that Rockdale County’s Code Enforcement Division has been honored with a 2025 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo), recognizing our commitment to innovation and excellence in public service,” states Rockdale County Chair and CEO JaNice Van Ness.

“The team at Code Enforcement has been hard at work this year, and it has been refreshing to witness such a high level of dedication and ingenuity from the Department. This award is a testament to the outstanding resourcefulness of Catherine Gray, our Code Enforcement Analyst, whose leadership in streamlining administrative processes exemplifies the caliber of talent we have in Rockdale County.

The development of the in-house letter automation tool—built entirely with Microsoft Power Automate and without external vendors or formal IT support—has transformed our operations. By reducing the time to generate Notice of Violation correspondence from 10 minutes to just 7.32 seconds, this tool has achieved a 98.78% reduction in processing time. More importantly, it has enhanced accuracy, improved workflows, and empowered staff to focus on higher-value tasks that directly benefit residents.

This kind of forward-thinking innovation begins on the frontlines of customer service. When we give our employees the freedom to find smarter ways to reduce costs, streamline operations, and elevate service delivery, we unlock the full potential of county government.

We are honored by NACo’s recognition and remain committed to fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and service in Rockdale County.”

Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACo President James Gore. “This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders and our teams to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”

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The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government. www.naco.org

Rockdale County Invites Proposals for Live-Work-Play Redevelopment

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
August 1, 2025

Rockdale County Invites Proposals for Live-Work-Play Redevelopment

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – The Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council (CREDC), in partnership with the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners and the Development Authority of Rockdale County (DARC), is seeking qualified development teams for the transformative redevelopment of a 35.5-acre site located at the intersection of Sigman Road and Iris Drive, near Interstate 20 in Rockdale County.

This RFI is aimed at gathering insights and expressions of interest from experienced developers specializing in large-scale, mixed-use projects. The vision for the property includes a vibrant live-work-play district that integrates commercial and office space, retail and dining, public parks, multi-modal transportation infrastructure, and a mix of housing types, including affordable and workforce housing.

Property Highlights:

Over 35 acres of commercially zoned land (C2)
Highly visible and easily accessible from I-20, with immediate access from the Sigman Road exit
Ideal for retail, office, entertainment, and residential uses
Strategically positioned for growth and heavy traffic exposure

The RFI is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a formal solicitation. Responses are due by August 29 at 12 p.m.

To download the full RFI and submission details, visit https://credcga.org/transform-sigman-road-credc-seeks-development-partners/

For more information, please contact Kevin Hanna, CREDC President/CEO, at 678-509-0133 or Kevin@Conyers-Rockdale.com.

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Rockdale County Animal Services Offering Free Spays for Female Dogs this August

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2025

Rockdale County Animal Services Offering Free Spays for Female Dogs this August

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Animal Services is pleased to announce a limited-time Free Dog Spay Program for residents of Rockdale County, running from August 1 to August 31, 2025. This program is made possible through a grant from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and aims to spay 100 dogs at no cost to the pet owner.

Rockdale County Residents must sign up in person at Rockdale County Animal Services, 1506 Rockbridge Road NW, Conyers, GA 30012, during one of the following first-come, first-served registration windows:

Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Monday, July 28
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday, July 29
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Eligibility & Requirements

This program is open to Rockdale County residents only. Proof of residency is required.

What to Bring:

Valid photo ID
Current utility bill (gas, water, or power) with a Rockdale County address

Residents must complete a short intake process, select a surgery date, and will receive instructions for dropping off and picking up their dog.

Rabies Vaccine:
Dogs must be up to date on their rabies vaccination. If not, a rabies shot will be provided at the time of surgery for a $15 fee, paid by the owner.

Please Note:
Only 100 free spay appointments are available. Once spots are filled, no further sign-ups will be accepted, and the remaining registration sessions will be canceled.

This initiative was made possible by partnering with Budget Vet and reflects Rockdale County’s commitment to responsible pet ownership and reducing the stray animal population.

For more information, you can contact Ciji Baker at 770-278-8412 or ciji.baker@rockdalecountyga.gov.

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