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Roswell council weighs options after Fulton County delay in tax digest; staff may bill provisionally at 85%
Summary
With Fulton County yet to produce a 2026 tax assessment digest, Roswell staff outlined options including a provisional billing at 85% of last year's digest; council debated delaying billing to avoid two mailings, using reserves for short-term cash flow, and the legal timetable for millage readings in September and budget readings in October–November.
Finance Director Adam Novotny told the committee that Fulton County had not yet delivered the 2026 tax assessment digest the city needs to finalize tax bills. Staff explained state law allows a provisional bill based on 85% of the previous tax digest if a county digest is not available, and that sending a later supplemental bill would be required to collect the remaining amount after the county digest is finalized.
"From what we have been told, unfortunately, Fulton County, tax assessor's office has yet to produce the digest for anything in Fulton County," Mayor Mary Robichaud said during the discussion, describing ongoing delay and uncertainty about timing.
Council members debated options: some urged delaying billing and using reserves for short-term cash flow to avoid sending two bills to residents; others said provisional billing would be more conservative to preserve cash flow. Council sought staff recommendations on a drop-dead date to force provisional billing, how much reserve would be required, and the communications plan for residents if two mailings are necessary.
Novotny reviewed the calendar: preliminary millage-related advertisement deadlines at the end of August; the first millage reading scheduled Sept. 14; a special millage hearing Sept. 21 (required by state law to be held between 6 and 7 p.m.); second reading Sept. 28; budget presentation Oct. 13; budget first reading Oct. 26; budget second reading and adoption Nov. 9. Council asked staff to run scenarios and return with recommended thresholds and any ordinance steps required to permit provisional billing or a delayed single billing.
