The 2008 Richmond County tax digest grew 4 percent over last year, continuing an upward trend, the county's chief tax appraiser said Monday.

Although the news is good, it's too early to say what the impact on city and school board tax millage will be, said Chief Appraiser Calvin Hicks.

"We have to determine what's normal growth and what's inflationary growth before we determine any tax rollback calculation impact," he said.

Nevertheless, City Administrator Fred Russell said he expects the growth to translate into more tax money to the city.

"It will make the budget discussions a whole lot easier," he said.

The assessed (40 percent) gross value of taxable property in Richmond County rose from $4.86 billion last year to $5.05 billion this year.

After exemptions, the city's net assessed value increased 4.8 percent this year because of fewer exemptions.

The personal property (equipment, machinery, fixtures, etc.) digest, however, decreased 0.19 percent.

The assessors board approved a list of changes in that digest Monday, and 1,177 personal property notice increases will be mailed June 13.

The school board's net digest growth will be different from the city's because of different exemptions, Mr. Hicks said.

Last year, after several years of sluggish growth, the gross digest increased 6 percent over 2006 numbers.

Also Monday, Mr. Hicks said his office has received 769 appeals from real-estate assessment change notices mailed on May 2.

The appeals totalling $68.2 million are below the amount that would keep the state from approving the digest, Mr. Hicks said.