During the first of three hearings, several Fulton County residents called on county commissioners to reject a proposed property tax increase of more than 17 percent.

The majority speaking during the sparsely attended hearing asked commissioners to vote against a plan to raise Fulton County’s millage rate by 1.57 mills. If approved, that would mean a $140 increase for those with a $275,000 home. College Park Resident Kip Carr asked commissioners to trim the county’s budget instead.

“How about a moratorium on vehicle purchases instead of approving requests from departments each time they need a brand new SUV.”

Brandy Mitcham with the Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia…said the increase would negatively affect commercial property owners.

“We have assessments values going up, in conjunction with the millage rates, lease rates are only going up, so existing tenants are looking to other jurisdictions and potential tenants might not be interested in doing business here.”

Commission Chairman John Eaves says the county needs to plug a $48 million budget shortfall.

However, he says county officials are exploring ways to potentially lower the proposed millage rate increase.

“We’re pushing for a scenario with additional revenue coming in through the tax commissioners office, identification of some areas that can be cut, freezing of some positions. That scenario will cause the shortfall we have to be less.”

And at least one resident asked commissioners to split the potential tax increase over two years to ease the burden on property owners.

Eaves says one thing that could help is a plan put forward by Fulton County Manager Dwight Ferrell to consolidate and reorganize a number of county departments. The proposal would also call for the hiring of several new positions and the elimination of some that are vacant. Commissioners are supposed to get an estimate of how much the plan could save prior to next Wednesday’s vote.

But even if the percentage of the proposed property tax increase is reduced, Commissioner Liz Haussmann plans to vote against the tax hike.

“My constituents overwhelmingly are telling me they do not support it, and I will respect their wishes.”

If commissioners approve the increase, the matter could end up in court. That’s because a state law prohibits Fulton from raising property taxes until 2015.

Another public hearing, will be held next Wednesday before commissioners vote on the proposed millage rate increase.