Thousands of Fulton County residents could see their property tax bills increase next year under a proposed budget that the Board of Commissioners will consider Wednesday.
Georgia’s largest county would keep its countywide tax rate at 11.781 mills under the proposed 2015 budget. But with property values expected to rise 2 percent, homeowners from Milton to Chattahoochee Hills may see bigger tax bills. This year, residents saw a 17 percent property tax hike.
Library hours, cut this year to save money, would be restored under the proposed budget, and the county will increase spending on other programs and give employees a 4 percent raise.
The board is expected to make a slew of changes before final approval of a budget in January. Fulton officials say this year's tax increase has improved the county's financial position. But they say keeping the tax rate the same — instead of rolling it back to offset rising property values — is necessary to support popular services.
“We made the right decision, in terms of the millage rate increase,” said County Commission Chairman John Eaves. “The monies are coming in now and we’re better positioned to provide the services our citizens want.”
Critics say Fulton should focus more on cutting costs than raising and spending money. Former state Rep. Ed Lindsey, one of several lawmakers who have sued to overturn this year’s tax hike, said more than 90 percent of county residents live in cities, but county government continues to grow.
“It has been said many times that that the closest thing on Earth to eternal life is government,” Lindsey said. “We must change course.”
Fulton would spend about $635.5 million next year on countywide services like courts, libraries and social services. That’s up about 3.5 percent from what the county expects to spend this year. The proposed budget includes:
- An extra $4 million for libraries. The county reduced hours from 1,562 a week in 2013 to 996 this year to help balance the budget. Those hours would be restored next year. The money also would help pay for six new libraries scheduled to open throughout 2015.
- $10 million for waterproofing, roof replacement and other repairs at various county buildings. Leaky roofs and other problems have forced employees out of some offices.
- $8.9 million for a 4 percent raise for employees. This year, employees received a 3 percent raise – their first in seven years.
- About $967,000 to hire 10 permanent and 10 temporary employees to boost property appraisals for tax purposes. The employees would focus on finding previously unreported construction and property improvements, a move expected to generate significant new property tax revenue.
Other new spending includes money for 48,116 more home delivered meals for seniors, to reduce a backlog of restaurant and hotel inspections and to replace old furniture at adult daycare centers. The county also will set aside $250,000 the health department would use in case of an outbreak of diseases like tuberculosis and Ebola.
Final decisions about the budget will fall to a commission that will soon have three new members. Bob Ellis, a newly elected Republican from Milton, said the budget approved in January won’t be the last word on county finances. He said he’ll press to roll back the millage rate when commissioners approve the tax rate next summer.
“The budget’s just a part of the process,” Ellis said. “You can’t reorganize a government that’s been running a certain way in the course of one month. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done.”
Another priority for Ellis: ensuring the county doesn’t dip further into fund balances to pay for current spending. The proposed general fund budget – which pays for countywide services – would use $4.6 million in fund balance to cover spending.
Eaves also hopes the county will set aside more money instead of reducing fund balances next year. And he said county officials will continue to search for ways to improve government efficiency.
“That will be a good message to our taxpayers,” Eaves said. “Even if there was criticism this year of the millage rate increase, we can, going forward, still be as efficient as possible.”
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