Franklin’s proposed tax-increase budget headed to Council
June 10, 2009 at 6:43 pm by Scott Henry in News
The Atlanta City Council’s Finance Committee voted unanimously today to send Mayor Shirley Franklin’s budget proposal — which includes a 3-mill tax hike — on to the full Council for a vote later this month. This was a formal necessity; the Council must approve an annual budget before the beginning of the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
Last year, the final vote didn’t take place until late on June 27, which, because it was a Friday, represented the last possible moment the Council could act without being in violation of the city charter. This year, the vote is scheduled for June 29, a Monday, which gives them one more day to find a consensus if they reach a stalemate.
But chances are, they won’t.
As of this writing, I count at least nine likely votes in support of the mayor’s budget. Franklin only needs eight to win. The Finance Committee sent the budget forward without a recommendation, so no members would need to tip their hands in advance, but the chatter at City Hall is that the budget will pass.
Now, bear in mind that my tally is based largely on anecdote, hearsay and off-the-record conversations. Also, be aware that people have been known to change their minds. That said, between the Council members who’ve already spoken out in favor of a tax increase — Jim Maddox, Felicia Moore — and the folks who’ve openly opposed it — Mary Norwood, Clair Muller — there’s a large, squishy center that seems definitely to be leaning toward a millage hike.
What seems to have tipped the scales since last year, when the Council unanimously rejected a proposed increase? Two words: police furloughs.
(Photo by Joeff Davis)
June 10th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Can we get Council to commit to stop tax giveaways in future – before socking us with this millage increase? No millage increase would be necessary if property and sales taxes had risen along with the rapid growth in Atlanta’s property base and population this decade. The bill for developer abatements, TADs and uncollected taxes is now being presented to Atlanta homeowners. Isn’t it time Council put residents first?
June 10th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
We could at least strengthen our credit rating by passing legislation that would standardize our Millage Rate Calculations.
http://www.millagerate.com/blog/explained/
This Atlanta School Board Example from the 2005-06 is a good illustration of the concept.
http://www.millagerate.com/schools/atlanta/index.htm
As of right now the ratings agencies are looking at us with 0 certainty and we have yet to even make a change in the Revenue side of the equation.
Right after this crisis we head into the General Assembly which is gonna hurt just as much if not more.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Nobody likes taxes, but you probably wouldn’t have that “rapid growth” without TAD’s.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
The TADs do not explain Atlanta’s rapid growth this decade. The surge in demand for in-town living is the explanation, along with a housing boom that led folks to build big homes in town. Much of the high-rise growth was in non-TAD Buckhead and Midtown. There was in fact ‘only’ $13mm of 2008 city property tax on the growth in the TADs.
Abatements appear to be the main reason that the 50% increase in the value of Atlanta property growth has not translated into any increased revenue for the city. Rollbacks in millage are part of it, too. And a very high amount of uncollected tax. It all adds up to Atlanta homeowners picking up the tab both for developer giveaways (that provide no benefit to us) and for tax deadbeats from whom the city / county appear unable or unwilling to collect.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
The theory is that some council members will vote in favor of a tax increase because of police furloughs. I hope that those voting in favor of the increase will see a new phenomenon: City Council Members furloughs come November.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I recall Mayor Franklin saying that if the Council wanted to end furloughs, they had to “show her the money”. I wonder if anyone of them have?
I mean, she says there is no money to pay for it, and some of them say there is, she says “show me”, and what happens? Did anyone show her?
I just want a fully-staffed APD. If they have already cut “to the bone” then increases are necessary. If they haven’t, someone needs to step up and find the money, if they haven’t already.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Most of the council members are too lazy to put in the effort to find the money. I bet very few of them have tried.
The worst is Norwood, whose excuse is “I can’t trust the admin’s numbers”. You’ve been on the council for 7.5 years and don’t know how to find what you’re looking for in City Hall. Pretty scary if you ask me.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
The only thing the Growth has given us is an increase in the cost of servicing this city.
Expenses have grown with the population. Revenues, just simple property tax revenues, 75% of our income, Inflation Adjusted has decreased.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Here’s my early line on what happens to Mayor Frsanklin’s tax hike proposal. It passes 8-7 as follows:
FOR:
Anne Fauver
Carla Smith
Joyce Sheperd
Jim Maddox
Ivory Young
Felicia Moore
CT Martin
Cleta Winslow
AGAINST:
Kwanza Hall
Natalyn Archabong
Ceaser Mitchell
Lamar Willis
Mary Norwood
Claire Muller
Howard Shook
Any other opinions?
June 11th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Hall, Mitchell will probably vote for if it looks like it will pass.
June 12th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
This proposal should be an outrage to city residents. You shouldn’t have to raise taxes to pay for public safety. As a municipal government, that should be priority NUMBER ONE Ms Franklin! All of other wasteful and unneccessary crap in this ciyt needs to be cut first if you have to furlough police and fire.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:44 am
I’m outraged. I went to the last budget meeting Public Hearing and was 15 minutes late AND I MISSED IT!!
They didn’t even have 15 minutes to talk about the rate and it was the subject of the Public Meeting.
If this Council isn’t even offering alternatives it might as well be a landslide vote.