Fulton builds libraries as funding unsettled | www.myajc.com

Fulton County has begun building the first of eight new libraries even though county officials aren’t sure how they’ll pay to operate them when they begin opening next year.

With property tax revenue expected to be flat and county commissioners unable to raise the tax rate thanks to new state legislation, they may be forced to trim library hours or cut spending elsewhere to find the $8 million a year it’s expected to cost to run the new facilities.

Commissioners appear in no hurry to make a decision. “I think we’ve got some time,” said Commissioner Bill Edwards, whose South Fulton district will get two new libraries.

But Commissioner Robb Pitts wants his colleagues to start a serious discussion of the library funding problem immediately.

“Let’s not say we were not aware of this,” Pitts said. “I bring this up at every opportunity.”

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