Deal signs Fulton property tax cap bill | www.myajc.com

Gov. Nathan Deal signed a hotly contested bill Monday that will prohibit Fulton County from raising property tax rates for the next two years — if a court doesn’t overturn it.

House Bill 604 also will require approval by a supermajority of county commissioners for tax increases after January 2015. Supporters hailed the measure as a overdue check on Fulton County spending.

“Hopefully the county commissioners will get the message that freewheeling spending is coming to an end,” said Michael Fitzgerald, co-founder of the North Fulton & Friends Tea Party.

Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves said the legislation may force spending cuts to Grady Hospital and other popular services. He said the legislation is an illegal intrusion into local government affairs and the county may challenge it in court.

“It’s bad public policy. It’s a bad precedent,” Eaves said Monday. “It’s a clear violation of home rule, in my opinion.”

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