Fulton County commissioners set proposed millage ceiling at 9.87 mills after heated debate

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted 4–3 on June 18 to advertise a proposed 2025 general‑fund millage ceiling of 9.87 mills, setting a higher limit than the county finance staff recommended and triggering required public hearings before a final vote on Aug. 6.

County Chief Financial Officer staff told commissioners the recommended rate of 8.87 mills was calculated to match the revenue assumptions in the adopted 2025 budget. The CFO’s analysis used the digest numbers the county received, estimated $38,000,000 in appeals that would not be billed, and showed that one-tenth of a mill in Fulton County is worth about $7,900,000. The CFO said keeping the 8.87 figure would “maintain our program expenditures for fiscal year 2025,” while the statutory rollback rate (8.774) would generate roughly $7.3 million less than the budgeted amount.

Commissioners who opposed the staff recommendation said the county needs more cushion to cover uncertain costs tied to the U.S. Justice Department consent order…