What is the purpose of calculating taxes using the mill rate?

Calculating taxes using the mill rate serves the specific purpose of assessing how much property tax is owed based on the assessed value of a property. The mill rate is a tax rate expressed in mills per dollar of property value. One mill represents one-tenth of a cent, or $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. By applying the mill rate to the assessed value of the property, property owners can determine their tax liability.

This method reflects the local government's approach to generating revenue for essential services, schools, and infrastructure, which relies on property tax. The calculated property tax helps ensure that funding is available for community services based on the value of the properties that contribute to the tax base, making it foundational to local government finance.