After a two-week delay, the Atlanta school board is expected to vote today on a proposed school property tax rate increase.
The Atlanta Board of Education initially planned to set a millage rate on July 23, but Atlanta Public Schools postponed that vote to Aug. 6 because district officials failed to publish the proper legal notice for the meeting.
Today, the board is scheduled to finally adopt a school property tax rate after holding one more public hearing at 6:30 p.m. at APS headquarters, 130 Trinity Ave S.W.
Residents have kept a close eye on the tax-rate discussion because of how the school board's vote will affect their property tax bills. Residents can voice their opinions at Monday's meeting.
APS Superintendent Meria Carstarphen has recommended the board lower the current millage rate by 1-mill to a proposed millage rate of 20.74 mills. Even though her recommendation is less than the current 21.74 mills, it would be considered an 8.23 percent property tax increase. That's because the proposal doesn't roll the millage rate all the way back to 19.163 mills, which is the level that would completely offset growth from reassessments and reevaluations.
The proposed APS property tax increase would cost the owner of a $300,000 home an additional $142 in school taxes.
In 2017, Fulton County froze property values at 2016 levels.
This year, many Fulton County homeowners have seen huge property value increases, and some want APS to provide more tax relief on the school portion of their tax bills.
APS officials have said that the proposed tax rate of 20.74-mills would generate about $607 million in local revenue -- 90 percent of which comes from Fulton County taxes and 10 percent from DeKalb County. Last year, the district budgeted for $545.5 million in local revenue.
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