Fulton County staff is examining the feasibility of a property tax increase after a Jan. 4 request from Commissioner Tom Lowe.
Commissioner Liz Hausmann said Lowe suggested at the Fulton County Commission meeting that day now would be an appropriate time to revisit the millage rate and proposed a study of raising it. Lowe asked county financial staff to see what an increase of 0.6 mills would look like.
"I do not support that in any shape, manner or form," Hausmann said.
In discussion at the meeting, Hausmann noted that Fulton has a 9.7 percent unemployment rate and its property values are declining. She said Fulton County has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and now is not the time to be burdening property owners with additional taxes. Many people are struggling just to hold onto their homes.
Hausmann said she favors reducing spending to solve the county's financial problems. The District 3 Budget Committee has examined ways to streamline processes and recommended outsourcing as much as possible. In particular, the committee proposed looking for possible overlaps between Fulton County's health services and Grady Memorial Hospital's health services. The goal is to see how much money is being spent and how services can be delivered more efficiently.
"We've suggested to the county manager that the spending levels for 2012 be at the maximum what they were in the 2010 budget year," she said.
During the meeting, she said none of her constituents had suggested a property tax increase. She asked the community to tell her if a property tax increase is desired, or tell her if it is not desired.
"I personally can't imagine that this is the right time to even consider this, but I want to hear from the people I represent," she said.
The Fulton County Commission will hear back on the millage rate at a workshop held on Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Fulton County government headquarters in downtown Atlanta.
This story will be updated with comments from other Fulton commissioners and staff.
Labels: Fulton County, Property Taxes, Tom Lowe
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Brian Vanderhoff @ 8:29 AM
