Fulton finance manager: Expect no miracles

Asked by commissioners whether Fulton County’s predicted 2013 budget shortfall is being exaggerated, Finance Director Patrick O’Connor fired back that tax billings are down by $75 million and “there’s going to be no miracle here.” O’Connor is projecting a $37.1 million deficit, to be brought down from $76.5 million by using $39.4 million in excess reserves.

Commissioner Liz Hausmann asked if the figures might be too high, since he’s budgeting for a 95 percent tax collection rate and Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand usually brings in about 98 percent. O’Connor said Ferdinand saved the day a few years ago with a massive windfall from uncollected taxes, but don’t expect a repeat.