FY2026 Budget

The Millage Rate, Explained

• APS is not raising the millage rate. We are maintaining the millage rate at 20.5 mils, which has been the same since 2022, and the lowest in over 10 years. The table below shows the referenced schedule.

• In effect, we are not raising the rate, but the rate is being applied to properties that have increased in value. 
• Over the past few years previously undervalued residential properties across Fulton County have had an increase in their assessed values, which can then raise the taxes imposed on them.
• In 2021, APS worked with the Georgia General Assembly to make permanent the $50k base homestead exemption originally approved in 2018. APS advocated to the Legislature to protect the interests of homeowners who were worried about rising property taxes. Here are two articles about that exemption, which is broadly available to most homeowners:
• Voters Make Atlanta's School Homestead Exemption Permanent
• Several Fulton, Atlanta Tax Relief Bills Will Go to Voters in Atlanta
• With the $50K base exemption in place, homeowners are now responsible for paying taxes on at least $10,000 of property value (if they don’t qualify for other income-based exemptions).

Benefits to APS, students, and the community

A steady and sustainable local tax digest helps ensure that we can continue to fund our schools, provide high quality instruction to students, and give competitive compensation to our teachers, such as the 11% increase we were able to provide in this budget. Additional investments were made to install security vestibules, fund the Readers are Leaders Literacy program, and bring the nutrition program in-house.

Here are additional benefits that impact APS students, families, and communities:

• Community Investment: Schools are a crucial part of the community fabric. All community members, regardless of their age or family composition, benefit from a well-educated younger generation who will become future leaders, workers, and community members. There is a public benefit, much the same way that those who do not own cars still benefit from public investments in roadways.
• Economic and Social Stability: Investing in education helps ensure a stable, skilled workforce, which supports economic growth and social stability. A strong economy benefits everyone, including retirees, through better services and a healthier community.
• Intergenerational Responsibility: Education is a shared responsibility. Many seniors may have benefited from a public education that was funded by the full community and may view continued support to give back and support future generations.
• Shared Benefits: Schools may offer community services, such as sports facilities and playgrounds, which are available to all residents, including seniors.

Here’s the Math…

FY20256 (2025) DIGEST

Recommendation to maintain the current millage rate of 20.500

• The rollback rate is 20.550. A roll-back would mean a $2.65 million budget increase for FY2026
• A millage rate of 20.500 is a 0.24% decrease to taxes, meaning that advertisement and hearings are not required

The change in tax bill from a roll-back will depend on their home value and whether they have a homestead exemption (as a reminder, the district worked with legislators to lock in a $50,000 homestead exemption).

The proposed tax decrease for a home with a fair market value of $325,000 is approximately $2 and the proposed tax decrease for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $625,000 is approximately $10.

*First $10,000 of value is still taxed

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING