On The Job and On The Record
Dr. Ferdinand was appointed Tax Commissioner for two 4-year terms (1996 and 2000) and since elected to the position beginning in 2004. Since his first term, Dr. Ferdinand has been on the job to improve operations, employee training, and management within the Tax Commissioner office and provide improved services to the citizens, municipalities, school boards, and businesses of Fulton County.
Improved office operations, employee training, technology, and management translated to improving property tax collections nine percentage points, from 90% in 1996 to an annual 99% beginning from 2000 to present. A 99% property tax collection rate is good for homeowners and families:
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Lessened Your Tax Burden: The 99% property tax collection rate has lessened the tax burden of each household in Fulton County . If today’s collection rate were the same as the 90% collection rate of 1996, a house assessed at $150,000 would owe $250 more in taxes. A house assessed at $500,000 would owe $900 more in taxes.
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Improved Quality of Life: Improved property tax collections have provided additional monies to help fund the cost of quality of life improvements: three multi-purpose senior centers – Dorothy Benson, Harriet G. Darnell, and Helene S. Mills; three neighborhood senior centers: New Horizon, Palmetto, and Southeast; added green space, expanded several parks, and added four new parks – Birmingham, Ed Morey Memorial Grove, East Conway at Mount Paran, and Trammell Crowe; two natatoriums – City of Atlanta and South Fulton; five libraries – Adams Park, College Park, East Point, Mechanicsville, and Northeast Spruill Oaks; added sidewalks; and improved police, fire, and health services.
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Additional Tag and Tax Offices: Additional property tax collections have provided monies to help fund new neighborhood tag and tax offices, which have eliminated long lines and waiting time. -
Additional Funds for Schools: And don’t forget our schools! Fulton County School system has used funds from property tax collections to build a new high school, extensively renovate a middle school, and the fund reserve is fully funded. The City of Atlanta School system has added two new schools. Both school systems have been able to hire and retain teachers and support staff – in part because of the improved property tax collection rate.
