With more than 34% of precincts reported in Fulton County, Atlanta voters are showing broad support for renewing the city’s longstanding one-percent sales tax that funds water and sewer projects.

The Municipal Optional Sales Tax, or MOST, was first instituted in 2004 under Mayor Shirley Franklin’s administration as part of a consent decree to address a federal lawsuit over water quality violations.

Since its inception, Atlantans have voted to renew the program four times consecutively.

The tax is estimated to collect roughly $1.1 billion over the next four years. It would take effect in October and extend through September 2028.

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Sheree Smith (left) casts her ballot at Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. In addition to municipal races for mayors, city councils and school board members, this year’s election also will decide the members of the Georgia Public Service Commission. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

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Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com