FARMINGTON – Franklin County commissioners are on a roll.

They voted Tuesday to drop the county tax rate for the third year in a row.

Commissioners set the tax rate for 2008 at 95 cents per $1,000 of property valuation. That’s 10 cents less than 2007 rate of $1.05.

Even with the lower tax rate, 17 towns will see an increase in their county tax assessments, while Industry, Phillips, Strong and Weld will see decreases. Unorganized territories’ share of county taxes increased from $195,247.50 in 2007 to $203,917.50 in 2008.

Tax bills are expected to be mailed today.

The county’s property value is $4.2 billion this year, compared to $3.6 billion in 2007.

The county assessment is $4.01 million, to cover its $4.01 million 2008 county budget.

Of the $4.01 million, $3.99 million is assessed to towns and unorganized territories for county services and $11,014 is for overlay, County Clerk Julie Magoon said.

Commissioners set Sept. 1 as the date county taxes are due.