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ALBANY, GA -- The Dougherty County School Board met twice Monday to help the public better understand a new policy recently put into action.

The board voted to keep the milage rate for property values at the same level that they've been at for the last several years. However some members of the public feel that this move is a tax increase, which Superintendent Dr. Joshua Murfree says is not the case.

"We had to report what we were doing, a milage rate that hasn't gone up since 2007, from at 18.450 to an 18.445. It has remained the same, very flat, so when people saw that they were very concerned," said Dr. Murfree.

The board is required by state law to label this change as a "tax increase" because of a 1.2% profit margin. However this move does not raise taxes for anyone, and in fact could simply mean more money for the county.

"It says it's an increase, but we still lower, so basically it's not an increase. But we have to say that to the public, so they can actually begin to look at that," said Dr. Murfree.

Each resident that attended the meetings Monday seemed reassured and happy with the board’s decision, realizing that these changes, wouldn't be affecting their personal finances.