Fulton County residents are set to see a hike in their water and sewer rates over the next two years. Today, as WSBTV reports, county commissioners ratified a 5% yearly increase through 2027, marking the first such increase since 2022. The additional funds are poised to fuel modifications for water connection fees and reflect the steady climb of operating expenses, which have reportedly escalated from $80.3 million to $92.2 million between 2021 and 2024.
According to details released prior to the vote, discussed in a meeting at the South Fulton County Service Center and outlined in FOX5 Atlanta's coverage, the average customer's bill will increase by about 50 cents per month. This increment is part of a structured endeavour since 2016 to consistently raise rates. With the upcoming increases, customers can anticipate the first new fee starting January 1, 2026, and another in 2027, each padlocking an additional 5% to their water and sewage bills.
Deputy Director Terry Peters of the Fulton County Public Works has been cited, emphasizing the gravity of the decision. "We don't take something like this lightly … we take that seriously," he remarked, acknowledging the impact of rate increases on residents. Amid the numbers game, it is pertinent to note that North Fulton accounts for a significant chunk of revenue at 55.6%, according to county records, translating to roughly $62.3 million, juxtaposed against South Fulton's $45.6 million, as highlighted in the water rate increase presentation obtained by FOX5 Atlanta.
For residents wishing to voice opinions or seek clarity, a second public hearing was scheduled at the South Fulton County Service Center, with avenues available for written comments directed to the Fulton County Department of Public Works, as detailed by FOX5 Atlanta. The directive encourages stakeholders to label their input with "Fulton County 2026-2027 Rate Structure" prominently at the top, ensuring an organized discourse about the rate increases slated to take effect at the onset of 2026.
