Tax relief to offset inflation in Fulton County
If you live in Fulton County, the tax rate on your house is going down.
The county commission voted to lower the county’s millage rate this past week.
On Tuesday, Channel 2′s Sophia Choi spoke with experts and looked into how the change could mean cuts for needed programs.
Bill Hornsby has lived in Fulton County for 12 years and says he welcomes the tax relief to offset inflation.
“It is very tough, yeah,” Hornsby said. “The way the economy is, I’d rather pay less on taxes and try to save some money here.
Fulton County commissioners voted to lower the millage rate from 9.33% to 8.87% on Aug. 17.
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That decision will reduce the property tax revenue by $31.3 million, even with higher housing prices.
Current estimates put the 2023 budget at $771 million.
The County Commission chairman says that’s not enough to fund all needed programs, meaning some tough cuts lie ahead.
“Those are the decisions we have to make, and sometimes they can be tough, they can be gut-wrenching, but you have to do it,” said Chairman of Fulton County Board of Commissioners Robb Pitts.
The chairman says cuts may include senior programs, more funding for Grady Memorial Hospital and budget increases for the sheriff’s office.. to address jail overcrowding.
The sheriff wants to lease beds at the Atlanta detention center and reopen the Alpharetta jail.
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“They’re all legitimate requests. But the problem is, we have a fixed amount of revenue,” Pitts explained.
Fulton County held three public hearings on the millage rate, but only two to three people showed up. They are going to be talking about this again at the regular commission meeting on Sept. 7.
Property owners whose property values stayed the same from 2021 to 2022 will see a reduced bill for the Fulton County portion of their property taxes.
Tax bills will be mailed to all property owners later this year.
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