Sandy Springs property owners will pay the same county tax rate for a fifth straight year.

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday, Oct. 7, to keep the General Fund millage rate at 8.87 mills, according to a county announcement. Because the rate is unchanged, no additional tax bills will go out. Temporary bills mailed on Aug. 15 are still due Thursday, Oct. 15.

Property owners who miss that deadline will start accruing interest the next day, Fulton Neighbor reported. An additional 5% penalty kicks in 120 days after the due date and continues to accrue every 120 days, up to a maximum of 20%.

"Now is not the time for a tax increase," Chairman Robb Pitts said.

He added that holding the rate steady avoids placing a burden on vulnerable residents while fully funding county services. Sandy Springs-area Commissioners Bob Ellis and Dana Barrett also sit on the board. The individual vote tally was not included in the county's announcement.

The 8.87-mill rate is slightly above the rollback rate, which is the rate that would generate the same revenue after accounting for rising property values. Under Georgia law, that gap required the county to hold three public hearings before the vote. Those hearings took place Sept. 30 and Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Government Center in Atlanta, according to a county press release.

The county's General Fund rate has dropped 16% since 2015, when it stood at 10.5 mills. It fell to 8.87 mills in 2022 and has held there since.

Property taxes fund county services including partnerships with Grady Health System and Morehouse School of Medicine, 14 neighborhood senior centers, courts and public safety, elections, libraries and animal control. The county also offers floating homestead exemptions and exemptions for seniors.

Payments can be made online at fultoncountytaxes.org, by phone at 404-613-6100, in person at the Tax Commissioner's office in the Fulton County Government Center, or by mail.