ATLANTA — Fulton County residents are bracing for a potential tax hike after the board of commissioners proposed the 2024 millage rate, which calls for a property tax increase.
In a recent commissioners meeting, official announced their intentions to increase property taxes for this year by 3.74% over the 2023 rollback rate.
County officials said the change would have minimal impacts, but residents are worried they will be priced out of their homes.
“The bottom line is their taxes, what they pay out of their pocket, is going to go up,” said Atlanta resident Michael Russell. “In this neighborhood any increase, however slight it is, is hugely impactful. It is not fair that commercial properties are assessed pennies on the dollar, and homeowners are always receiving a tax increase."
Russell explained that some neighbors are struggling to pay for other expenses because they have to pay their property taxes.
"For example, we have a lady who lives down the street who has no working toilet in her house. If she had the money, she would get her toilet fixed, but if she doesn’t pay her property tax, she will lose her home completely. That’s outrageous," he said.
Daniel Jones with Fair Assessment LLC explained why the county's increasing property taxes.
“The county has a budget, and they need to meet the budget with revenue; so if costs are rising and salaries are rising, then they’re probably gonna be looking for an increase in the rate beyond the rollback rates,” Jones said.
The state requires all counties to roll back their property tax rate to match the previous year's revenue, but Fulton County says last year’s rate created a projected shortfall of $38 million, which prompted the change.
“They decide to use a millage that’s actually higher than the rollback rates. Then, they have to have a series of three public hearings so that people can voice their concerns,” Jones added.
According to Fulton County – if your home is worth $500,000 – you’ll pay about $54 more per year.
Officials will host three public hearings about the proposed increase. The first two will be on July 10 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and the final public hearing will be on August 7.
The meeting will take place at the Fulton County Government Building and online via a virtual link.