Fulton County advertises property tax increase, but doesn’t set rate

Photos of homes in the Olde Taylor Farms subdivision in Johns Creek. KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC FILE PHOTO

Photos of homes in the Olde Taylor Farms subdivision in Johns Creek. KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC FILE PHOTO

Fulton County commissioners plan to advertise a potential property tax increase, but whether or not one will go into effect depends on how many people appeal their 2018 property values.

The county government’s tax rate will not be higher than it was in 2017 — 10.38 mills — and county commissioners made it clear they weren’t seeking a windfall from higher property values.

But commissioners will advertise a tax hike anyway, and hold three public hearings, because they want to ensure they can bring in enough revenue to pay for the budget they passed earlier this year — even if thousands of residents appeal their property values, which are higher than previous years.

The move was made to ensure tax bills will be sent out in a timely fashion after the county scrambled last year when its tax digest was rejected. Commissioners anticipate setting the tax rate later this summer.

Under current calculations, the revenue-neutral tax rate would be 9.62 mills, a 7.32 percent decrease from the 2017 rate.