Fulton commissioners propose 17% tax hike (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: property taxes, law, best)

[jsvh]

Fulton commissioners postpone tax vote - Atlanta Business Chronicle

The Fulton County Commission wants to hear more from the public before voting on a proposed 17 percent property tax increase.

Commissioners have decided to delay a scheduled vote on the plan Wednesday in order to hold additional public hearings.

The commission held two hearings at the Fulton County Government Center in downtown Atlanta last week, but neither was well attended.


After holding a third hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday, commissioners will vote to schedule three additional hearings. Tentatively, the hearings have been set for July 30 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Aug. 6 at 10 a.m.

The proposed increase in the general fund millage rate, the first in Fulton since 1991, would fill a projected $40 million budget shortfall.

Supporters say additional revenue is necessary to maintain county services at a level the public expects. Opponents say county agency heads aren’t being aggressive enough in pursuing savings that would avoid having to raise taxes.

I am going to try to make it to one of these meetings. People need to show up and let Fulton know they don't think these increases are acceptable.

[jsvh]

Don't forget this meeting is happening tonight: Fulton County Board of Commissioners Approves New Public Hearing Schedule on 2014 Millage Rate

[AnsleyPark]

Good luck, FulCo folks!

[arjay57]

I'm against it. Fulton wastes ridiculous amounts of money.

Some of these people need to be sent to county commissioner training camp. A few weeks of good two-a-days in the August sun might remind them of the fundamentals.

[jsvh]

I went to the meeting yesterday. They made no presentation or justification for the increase. They only took "comments". 3 of the 7 commissioners were present and took no questions on the topic only a "thank you" or a "we will get back to you".

I encourage you to write your commissioner (and the at-large commissioners) an email on this topic: Fulton County Board of Commissioners

[wado729]

Originally Posted by arjay57

i'm against it. Fulton wastes ridiculous amounts of money.

Some of these people need to be sent to county commissioner training camp. A few weeks of good two-a-days in the august sun might remind them of the fundamentals.

this

[LynnHarris]

County considering 17 percent tax hike while failing to collect millions it's already entitled to...

"Fulton County leaders are getting ready to vote on a proposed property tax hike Wednesday, but a Channel 2 Action News investigation found the county is failing to collect millions of tax dollars it's already entitled to.

Investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer crunched the numbers and found the county has undervalued tens of thousands of properties that sold in 2013, which means those buyers aren't paying their fair share of taxes..."


http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local...ing-col/ngwSD/

[LynnHarris]

Just heard on WSB that the 17% tax hike was approved...

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

Just heard on WSB that the 17% tax hike was approved...

Are we really surprised? I wish the COA would become it's own county. We pay Fulton County for basically nothing at this point.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by CCATL

Are we really surprised? I wish the COA would become it's own county. We pay Fulton County for basically nothing at this point.

Agreed. This is disappointing but not unexpected. I understand why no one shows up to the meetings on this now.

I also sent an email to my Fulton representative on this afterward asking what the money will be spent on. Only response was how to calculate my property tax bill.