Atlanta Residents Ask School District For Lower Property Tax Bills
More than a dozen Atlanta residents showed up for a Monday morning public hearing about the proposed Atlanta Public Schools millage rate.
Stephannie Stokes / WABE
Some Atlanta residents are asking the school district to take less in property taxes. That’s as home values rise sharply — by about 30 percent citywide.
The school district already has proposed lowering the millage rate by one mill. But with higher values, that would still mean an average 8 percent tax increase for homeowners.
More than a dozen people showed up to a public hearing Monday morning to request the Atlanta Board of Education reduce the millage rate even further.
“Y’all have an opportunity to help longtime citizens of Atlanta to get by a little easier,” Bobby Lichtenstein told the board. “If it means cutting fat out of the budget, then so be it.”
A few speakers questioned why Atlanta schools needed any increase. Colleen O’Rourke said the city currently spends more money per student than Gwinnett County or DeKalb.
“And those counties have to address the same issues of socioeconomic diversity as our city does,” O’Rourke said.
Board Chair Jason Esteves said that comparison isn’t fair since Atlanta’s school district has more tax responsibilities than other counties. For one, it’s dealing with decades-old pension debt.
The school district has said more revenue is also necessary to cover growing health care costs and teacher salary increases.
The board will vote on the millage rate July 23. Another public hearing will take place that evening at 6 p.m.
Top Stories
