Some Gwinnett County property owners will be paying more in taxes this year.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to keep the county’s 13.75 millage rate the same as last year.  But for those like John Cook, whose property values increased, it means their taxes will go up.

“My property was reassessed 17.5 percent higher, so my taxes will go up 17 percent,” he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

Cook was among a handful of concerned citizens who attended Tuesday’s commission meeting for the vote.  He was also at a packed public hearing Monday night.

“It’s still a critical stage for a lot of people that are still unemployed in this county, and they don’t seem to have a lot of compassion on that.”

But Commission Chair Charlotte Nash told the audience before the vote that it’s the prudent thing to do.

“We worked through the downturn as well as we possibly could, but I also know there are some things that we’ve got to address that we can’t keep putting off,” she says.

Among those given as an example is a new roof for the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center which is now over 25 years old.

Commissioner Lynette Howard agrees.

“The structure of the buildings that are assets that our citizens have invested in… it just would be an irresponsible thing and that would cost us a lot more in the long run,” she says.

For the average owner of a $150,000 home in Gwinnett, the county anticipates a $25 increase in property taxes a year.

But for Gregory Howard of Lawrenceville, that will make a difference.

“A lot of people are struggling with jobs—hours are being cut back; so, is this the time to be raising (taxes),” he asks.