Fulton agrees to stop charging online processing fees later this year

Fulton County made about $3 million from charging the fees, which it agreed to not charge no sooner than July.

Fulton County made about $3 million from charging the fees, which it agreed to not charge no sooner than July.

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to stop charging online processing fees for things like paying property taxes and vehicles no earlier than July.

Fulton Tax Commissioner Arthur E. Ferdinand said Wednesday during the meeting, which was held over the phone due to the COVID-19 epidemic, that the county got about $3 million from charging the fees in 2019.

Commissioner Liz Hausmann said said she didn’t think they should be taking away money, especially considering because the county might need more funds depending on what happens with the coronavirus.

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“We may need who-knows-what to manage this emergency,” she said.

Hausmann suggested the county wait until after the ongoing medical crisis has passed.

“In the long run, $3 million might make a difference,” she said.

Commissioner Joe Carn argued that it is just the time to make this decision for members of the public, who he said could use the extra money.

READ | As deaths rise, Fulton, Atlanta jails watch for coronavirus

“Residents want to see some kind of action, some kind of relief,” he said.

Carn said that this is prudent especially because so many services have turned online amid the spread of the deadly virus.

The proposal passed 5-2 with Hausmann and Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. voting no.

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