June 21, 2017

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted unanimously to rescind the 2017 tax assessments for residential properties and will revert to the 2016 tax assessments.  In so doing, the BOC cited an 1880 law as authority for its decision.  Following is the 11Alive report on the rescission.

11Alive: Tax Assessments Frozen At 2016 Levels

Further the 11Alive article states:

“The Fulton County tax assessment notice you received in May or June is now null and void. You will receive a new assessment, which should be mailed to you around mid-August.

If you have already filed an appeal it is now null and void. You will have a chance to appeal the notice you receive in August, if you feel it is in error. You will have 45 days after you receive the new notice to file your appeal online.”

Of course, there will be more chapters in this saga.  Much hard work is needed to ensure that tax assessments are fair and reasonable.  And it is a pretty sure bet that future tax increases will likely be phased in more gradually; that is good and fair.  And it is also likely that reforms will occur at the state level to ensure this sort of fiasco does not recur.

There is a very important lesson to be learned with this Tax Revolt:  When citizens engage and petition their government for the redress of grievances (this is one of five rights listed in the First Amendment), fairness and justice can be achieved.  Citizens of Milton need to take note.  Frequently, our Milton City Council is making decisions that are in direct opposition to the will of their citizens.  The most recent example of this was the rezoning of 3 parcels on Hopewell Road, where a developer was granted twice the density to which he was entitled under the existing AG-1 zoning.  In approving this rezoning, Council disregarded the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the unanimous opposition of the Planning Commission, staff’s recommendation for denial, and (most importantly) the will of citizens.  Very few citizens were in attendance.  Council interpreted this as a sign that they could revert to their previous habit of reflexively approving any developer request–no matter how ridiculous.  Citizens, we need to heed the lessons of the Property Tax Revolt and organize to oppose those on Council that disrespect and disregard citizens’ prerogatives. 

Tim Becker