Alpharetta and Milton homeowners face a proposed Fulton County property tax increase, with the first public hearings set for Wednesday, Sept. 30.
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners announced Wednesday, Sept. 23, that it intends to raise the 2026 General Fund property tax rate 0.54% above the rollback millage rate. The proposed rate of 8.87 mills matches the county's 2025 rate but exceeds this year's rollback rate of 8.822 mills.
Under Georgia law, any rate above the rollback triggers three mandatory public hearings before commissioners can set a final rate.
When and where to weigh in
The first two hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. A third hearing will take place Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m., after which the board is expected to vote on the final rate.
All three sessions will be held at the Government Center Assembly Hall, 141 Pryor St., Atlanta. Residents who cannot attend in person can join virtually through video links on the Fulton County website at fultoncountyga.gov.
What the rollback rate means
Georgia law requires the county to calculate a rollback millage rate each year. That rate is the millage that would produce the same total revenue as the prior year's rate, adjusted for reassessments. When property values rise across the county, the rollback rate drops.
Setting the millage above that threshold counts as a tax increase under state law, even if the per-mill rate stays flat. The county's proposed 8.87 mills would keep the rate unchanged from 2025. But because countywide property values rose, the rollback rate fell to 8.822 mills, making the flat rate a 0.54% increase in the eyes of state law.
What Alpharetta-area residents should know
Commissioner Bridget Thorne, who represents District 1 covering parts of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell and Sandy Springs, urged constituents to attend the hearings. In a Sept. 17 Instagram post, Thorne said the board voted 5-0 to advertise the proposed rate.
"I never want to make a decision without first listening to our community," Thorne wrote.
The Fulton County General Fund millage is one of several tax rates applied to local property bills. Alpharetta's city rate held steady at 5.750 mills for 2026, and Fulton County Schools has separately proposed a rate of 18.08 mills, according to Appen Media. Each rate is set independently, but all apply to the same taxable value. Georgia calculates that at 40% of a property's fair market value.
Tax bills mailed Aug. 15 were temporary, based on 2025 millage rates and the preliminary 2026 tax digest, as authorized by Fulton County Superior Court. Final bills will be issued once all millage rates are set. Fulton County property taxes for residents outside Atlanta are due Oct. 15.
Residents can register for the virtual hearing sessions at fultoncountyga.gov.
