Fulton schools to pay employees Friday despite tax collection delays

Despite significant delays in sending tax bills, Fulton County Schools collected enough tax revenue to pay employees Friday, instead of waiting until the end of the month as the district previously announced would be necessary.

The school district collected more than $84 million in taxes through Dec. 15, which means it also  has enough funds to lift a temporary hiring freeze and other spending moratoriums effective Friday. Fulton schools enacted the cost-saving measures this fall and told employees they wouldn't be paid until Dec. 29 because of cash-flow problems caused by the slow Fulton County tax assessment and billing process.

The school district joined other governmental units in successfully seeking an order from a judge to begin tax collection in November after the state revenue department rejected Fulton County's tax digest.