A former state lawmaker is glad Fulton County commissioners recently cut property taxes. He just wishes they'd never raised them to begin with.
Ed Lindsey, the former House majority whip, still believes last year’s 17 percent property tax hike was illegal, though a judge’s preliminary ruling in a lawsuit would seem to indicate otherwise.
“I’m pleased they’re moving back toward complying with the law,” Lindsey said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday. “But they’ve been out of compliance the last two years.”
Last year, commissioners voted 4-3 to raise property taxes for the first time since 1991, citing the need to pay for libraries, senior programs, Grady Memorial Hospital and other popular services. Lindsey joined several state lawmakers in filing a lawsuit, arguing the tax hike was illegal. The lawsuit is still pending, but a judge's preliminary ruling last September signaled he would likely side with Fulton County.
Since then, redistricting and retirement has led to turnover on the commission. Last month, commissioners voted 5-2 to roll cut the property tax rate nearly 11 percent. Some have said they plan to completely eliminate last year's tax hike in 2016.
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