Fulton County: 'Residents Will See Lower Taxes'

Since the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to keep its millage rate the same for another year, homeowners whose property value dropped will see a smaller tax bill. That includes most homeowners, according to the county. The 10.281 mills for the General Fund approved by the board also means that if your property's assessed value remains the same, your tax bill will be unchanged.

Approximately 80 percent of General Fund revenue comes from property taxes. Fulton County has maintained its current millage rate since 2007 and has not increased its millage rate since 1991.

Among the five largest metro Atlanta counties, including Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb and Clayton counties, Fulton County’s General Fund millage rate is the lowest. Fulton is the only metro county that has not increased its General Fund millage rate during the current economic downturn.  

“The departments and employees of Fulton County Government look forward to implementing the board’s policy and continuing to provide outstanding services and value to our residents,” said County Manager Zachary L. Williams.  “We are proud of our record of financial management and know that residents need our services now more than ever.”

From 2008 to 2012, Fulton County’s real and personal property tax digest declined by 15.3 percent.  During that time, Fulton County’s homestead exemption increased to $30,000, compared to $10,000 for all surrounding counties, making it making it the most generous homestead exemption in the metro region. This has resulted in significant reductions in the Fulton County portion of property tax bills for many homeowners.

Fulton County leadership actively decreased expenditures by 13 percent from 2007 to 2011. A hiring freeze has been in place since 2008, and the county has decreased its headcount of full-time employees by 23 percent from 2006 to 2012. Other efficiency steps have included consolidation of departments, streamlining operations, increases in grant funding, refinancing and other measures.

A variety of community indicators have increased reliance on county services. The unemployment rate in Fulton County increased to 10.5 percent in 2011, from 4.9 percent in 2007. Poverty rates increased from 14.2 percent in 2007 to 17.7 percent in 2010. Fulton County, as the center of the Metro Atlanta area, has been impacted by foreclosure rates which have remained among the highest in the nation.