Mayor Andre Dickens released a joint statement on Friday about the opposition the Fulton County Board of Commissioners faces from all 15 cities in the county which oppose the 600 percent increase in the Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) proposed by the county.
“We were pleased to have many of our #GACities leaders in the building for a @FultonInfo Commission meeting regarding LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) funding,” The Georgia Municipal Association said on Friday.
Under the proposal, Fulton County’s share of Local Option Sales Tax funding would go from just under five percent to 35 percent, a six-fold increase.
“This is a surprising request because in 2012 the county agreed to a negotiated percentage of less than 15 percent,” the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office said.
If the tax hike goes through it would equate to an increase in some $95 million in tax revenue per year.
Since 2012, Fulton County’s service area has decreased from some 90 square miles to less than two square miles, in which less than 1,000 people live, the joint statement noted.
“In reality, the Cities provide essential services such as police, fire, and sanitation to nearly all residents of Fulton County,” Fulton County Cities said; adding, “Such drastic shift in sales tax revenue will necessitate raising property taxes on nearly all Fulton County residents and businesses at a time when they can least afford it.”
College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom called the proposal “a devastating blow” to the city’s essential services.
“Our first responders, including police and fire, would be directly impacted by the reductions. As a community highly dependent upon tourism, hospitality and travel, we are just beginning to emerge financially from an $18 million loss as result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Broom said. “Our general fund reserves were depleted by over 30% during that time. Fulton County’s position therefore, is untenable. While I am ultimately optimistic for an outcome amenable for all parties, the county’s initial demand is quite disappointing.”
Despite united opposition from the cities to the proposal, Fulton County stated it looks forward to the negotiation process.
“Today we shared our desire to return to the LOST distribution share prior to full municipalization. This proposed amount recognizes the services provided to each and every resident of Fulton County, in all 15 cities and would also result in a net tax reduction on tax bills for 86% of all taxable parcels,” Fulton County said. “We look forward to ongoing fruitful discussion with the cities.”
The 15 cities are: Atlanta, Alpharetta, Chattahoochie Hills, College Park, East Point, Fairburn, Hapeville, John’s Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Palmetto, Roswell, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, and Union City.
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Addison Basurto is a reporter at The Georgia Star and The Star News Network. Follow Addy on Twitter and GETTR. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Fulton County Commission” by Fulton County Government.
