Fulton commissioners discuss FY2025 budget, set aside reserve for DOJ costs and opt in to state homestead/sales-tax change

Fulton County officials used the Jan. 8 Board of Commissioners meeting to review the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget and related state legislation that could affect property‑tax calculations and local sales tax options.

House Bill 581 (2025). The board voted unanimously to allow the county to "opt in" to the new statewide floating homestead exemption and related local sales‑tax option in House Bill 581 rather than formally opt out by the March 1 deadline. County staff described the effects: HB581 creates an additional floating homestead exemption taxpayers may receive (they will get the larger of the county’s existing exemption or the new state exemption), and offers a local option sales tax intended to be used to offset property‑tax rollback. Staff noted the new local sales tax would be subject to existing caps and intergovernmental distribution mechanics; cities that do not adopt the option would not be included automatically. The board’s recorded vote on the opt‑in motion was unanimous.

Budget presentation and proposed reserves.…