Fulton County reviews options for up to $7 million in general-obligation bonds as financial-plan projects reshape budgets

Fulton County Council and the Board of Commissioners heard detailed presentations Wednesday on possible general-obligation bond issues and a draft comprehensive financial plan that projects revenue impacts from recent state law changes.

Jason, a consultant with Baker Tilly, told the council the county could issue bonds in several scenarios — roughly $5.23 million, $6.0 million or about $7.25 million once financing costs are included — and still keep near-term taxpayer impacts relatively small. He said a $5.23 million issue paid over five years would raise roughly $1.32 million in annual debt service and require a new debt-service levy of “a little over 8¢” per $100 of assessed value under the assessment assumptions used in the presentation.

Susan Cohen, the financial consultant who presented the county's draft comprehensive financial plan, said the report contains estimates and caveats: “So this is a draft. If you want some of these estimates changed, revised, we can certainly do that,” she said. Cohen and Jason both warned that the county's revenue outlook will be affected by Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) and by changes to how local income tax (LIT) will be allocated beginning in 2028.

Why it matters: the presentations tie a potential bond sale to a broader set of fiscal changes county leaders must address. The county faces maturing 2021 bonds with a final payment in January 2027, shifting LIT rules that may reduce some receipts for the county and increased…