Sandy Springs property owners face a higher school tax rate after the Fulton County Board of Education approved 17.95 mills on Oct. 22, up from 17.08. The effect on individual bills will depend on taxable property values and exemptions.
The board adopted the rate at its meeting at the South Learning Center, according to the district’s Oct. 23 board bulletin. The bulletin did not identify the vote count or individual members’ votes.
The 0.87-mill increase amounts to about 5.1% above the previous rate. For a property with unchanged taxable assessed value, it adds $87 annually for every $100,000 subject to school taxes.
The approved rate is below the 18.08 mills Superintendent Mike Looney initially proposed at an Aug. 11 work session. Looney described the proposed increase as “unwelcome” but necessary to reduce the district’s reliance on reserves, Appen Media reported.
The district adopted its roughly $2.3 billion budget across all funds in June with a projected deficit of about $57 million, according to Appen. That projection preceded the final tax-rate decision.
School officials have cited inflation, rising healthcare expenses and the need to maintain financial reserves as reasons for seeking additional revenue, Rough Draft Atlanta reported.
The district’s bulletin places the millage decision within GLIDE, an initiative combining spending reductions and savings with efforts to increase revenue. Appen also reported in August that voter-approved homestead exemptions for older residents were projected to reduce school revenue by approximately $50 million.
At the same meeting, the board extended the application deadline for its vacant District 3 seat to noon Friday, Nov. 6.
Katie Gregory’s resignation took effect Sept. 18. The board plans to appoint a replacement to complete her term, which ends Dec. 31, 2028, according to the district’s vacancy page. To retain the seat beyond the appointment, the selected candidate would need to qualify and run for election.
District 3 includes portions of Sandy Springs, College Park, East Point and Hapeville. Applicants must be at least 21, live in Georgia and have resided in District 3 for at least one year. Additional restrictions involving employment, family relationships and eligibility are listed on the district’s website.
Applicants must submit a résumé and a letter explaining their qualifications to [email protected], or hand-deliver them to the Board Services Office at 6201 Powers Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339. Applications must be received by the deadline.
Qualified applicants must attend an in-person information session Thursday, Nov. 12. The district will provide the time and location upon application.
