FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A judge ruled Friday that Fulton County can once again collect property taxes, averting possible government and school shutdowns.
The superintendents for Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools didn't mince words Friday afternoon, saying the political decisions of the Fulton County Commission put children's educations at risk.
"What's clear is that there's a problem with the process," APS Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen said during an afternoon news conference.
When it comes the subject of property taxes, Fulton and Atlanta’s top educators give the county a failing grade.
"This has been unfortunate and what seems like a wise political decision has implications for something as basic as public education for our kids," Fulton County Schools Superintendent Jeff Rose said. "We should learn from this and this shouldn't happen again."
"It is just irresponsible for anyone to create a barrier like this for a child who needs us to do the best job ever in the history of the system," Carstarphen said.
Friday afternoon, a judge granted Fulton County the ability to collect nearly $500,000 in property taxes.
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Last week, the Georgia Department of Revenue rejected the county's tax digest, saying its process didn't comply with state law and halting collection for 15 cities, two school boards and 11 community improvement districts.
Both superintendents say the ruling helps but say it's just one hurdle.
"It still means we'll have to reduce the number of bills we're able to pay every month,” Carstarphen said.
"Our plan is to prioritize two things: the safety of our students, and two, all the compensation our employees deserve," Rose said.
Interim Fulton County Commission Chairman Bob Ellis defends the board's decision to revert to last year's figures after an outcry about massive spikes in values.
"This was a very equitable solution that was put forth," Ellis told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik.
"So who is really at fault here?" Petchenik asked Ellis.
"Well, you draw the conclusion," Ellis said.
"I'm asking you to," Petchenik responded to Ellis.
"The board of assessors issued a faulty set of assessments prior to the time they went out," Ellis said.
Fulton County Schools sent a statement after the judge's ruling saying:
Fulton County is pleased with Judge Harvey’s ruling today. We appreciate his prompt decision, which will allow tax bills to be issued using the 2017 corrected tax digest and 2017 millage rates set by the taxing jurisdictions as a basis.
"Today’s ruling will allow tax bills to be issued quickly for all of the agencies that comprise Fulton County tax digest.
"Our focus throughout the process has been to protect the interests of homeowners in this County and to also fashion a solution that allowed government services to continue without disruption.
"The outsized increases in the original assessments were so large that a disproportionate number of homeowners would have seen dramatic increases in property taxes and placed many in a precarious financial position.
"Our immediate focus now turns to the issuance and collection of tax bills."
The county will send out those tax bills in the next few weeks and they will be based upon the adjusted figures the commission approved over the summer.