FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Communications
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

August 5, 2024

Atlanta City Council Member Byron Amos Statement Following Approval of Blight Property Tax Legislation

ATLANTA — District 3 Atlanta City Council member Byron Amos released the following statement after City Council approved legislation that will impose a tax increase on property owners of neglected properties contributing to blight:

“The properties in the city that have been declining for years have caused health concerns and decreased the property value in several of our historic neighborhoods. Blight, vacant properties, and abandoned homes can create an unsafe environment for our children and residents. The scars of dilapidated homes have a damaging impact on surrounding communities. This approach and new measure will hold negligent property owners accountable by significantly increasing fines for those who allow their properties to deteriorate. More importantly, Atlanta Municipal Court judges will have the authority to increase the tax bills of these blighted properties by up to 25 times the current city tax rate. The goal of this legislation is to not only hold negligent property owners accountable but also to work with owners who are doing what they can to clean up their blighted property. Property owners rehabilitating their blighted properties can qualify for a reduced tax rate. Large property owners must commit to a redevelopment plan that aligns with neighborhood goals, including improvements in connectivity, transportation, and public amenities that benefit the community. The tax will not apply to occupied properties to prevent displacement.”

This item was sent to the mayor’s office post haste. 

About Atlanta City Council
The Atlanta City Council is the chief policy-making body for the City of Atlanta. It acts by considering and enacting all laws that govern the city. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City as recommended by the mayor, and it continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The Atlanta City Council reviews and has final say on many land-use and zoning matters. Major economic development projects for the City also fall under the council’s jurisdiction.

The City Council is composed of 12 districts and three at-large posts. Council representatives include: Council President: Doug Shipman; District 1: Jason Winston; District 2: Amir Farokhi; District 3: Byron Amos; District 4: Jason S. Dozier; District 5: Liliana Bakhtiari; District 6: Alex Wan; District 7: Howard Shook; District 8: Mary Norwood; District 9: Dustin Hillis; District 10: Andrea L. Boone; District 11: Marci Collier Overstreet; District 12: Antonio Lewis; Post 1 At-Large: Michael Julian Bond; Post 2 At-Large: Matt Westmoreland; and Post 3 At-Large: VACANT.

To learn more about the Atlanta City Council, please visit http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/. For the latest updates, follow the Atlanta City Council on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Office of Council Communications Contacts: 

Zena Lewis
zolewis@atlantaga.gov
404-330-6309 

Bill Doughty
wdoughty@atlantaga.gov
404-330-6056 

Tiffanie Kelly
trkelly@atlantaga.gov
404-330-6014