Fulton postpones tax vote | www.myajc.com

Fulton County commissioners will try again in two weeks to take the first step toward a 17 percent tax increase after failing Wednesday to get the number of votes necessary to start the process.

Fulton’s first countywide tax hike in 23 years would cost the owner of a $275,000 home an extra $140 a year. But it failed to clear its first hurdle at the Fulton Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. With several commissioner absent, a proposal to advertise the tax increase and schedule public hearings failed on a 3-1 vote. It needed four votes to pass.

The proposal will be back on the commission’s agenda June 18. Critics say the tax hike is illegal and unnecessary.

“It’s reckless because Fulton County residents are still recovering from the worst recession in modern history,” said state Rep. Jan Jones, R-Milton. “The last thing they need is the county reaching further into their wallets.”

Supporters say the tax increase is needed to protect vital services and stabilize a budget still reeling from the Great Recession. Commissioner Joan Garner said Wednesday she supports the tax hike, but also wants to make sure Fulton is spending its money wisely.

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