School tax rate rises 5.1%, but stops short of the first proposal

Fulton County's school board has adopted a 2026 operating tax rate about 5.1% above last year's, though lower than the rate it originally advertised. The levy covers taxable property in Fulton County outside the City of Atlanta.⁠[1][2]

The board adopted 17.950 mills on October 22, up from 17.080 mills in 2025. Its earlier public notice advertised 18.080 mills.⁠[1][2]

With taxable assessed value held constant, the adopted rate means $87 more in annual school operating tax per $100,000 of taxable value—$1,795 rather than $1,708. That is a rate comparison, not a prediction that every property's bill will rise 5.1%; the calculation assumes its taxable value does not change.⁠[2][3]

The district's tax paperwork also lists a 2.34% increase. That uses a different benchmark: the adopted rate is 2.34% above the calculated rollback rate of 17.539 mills, rather than the previous year's 17.080-mill rate.⁠[2]

The school board's rate decision is complete, but the county's levy action is still ahead. Commissioners' November 4 agenda requests approval of a supplemental tax resolution, and the Finance Department recommends approval. The proposed resolution carries the same 17.950-mill operating rate and a zero-mill school-bond levy.⁠[1][3][4]

The commission meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. November 4 in Assembly Hall at the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta.⁠[4]