The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously ruled last week that use of school tax revenue to fund development projects, including the Atlanta BeltLine, is constitutional.
The case settles various appeals filed by John Sherman of the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation seeking to overturn the use of school revenues in tax allocation districts which use tax increment financing.
Atlanta Attorney Cathy Hampton said the city is pleased with the ruling, which confirms the lawful use of school taxes in tax allocation districts.
The Fulton County Taxpayers have raised numerous issue and legal challenges regarding the issue.
In 2008, Georgia voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing school taxes to fund redevelopment.
The Supreme Court "ruling is a significant victory not only for the city, but for jurisdictions statewide," Hampton said. "It clarifies the legality of redevelopment projects throughout Georgia and allows other jurisdictions to continue using these important redevelopment funding tools to create new jobs and economic opportunities."
In Atlanta, Hampton said the ruling upholds the constitutionality of the tax allocation district "as a crucial means of funding transformative redevelopment projects like the Atlanta BeltLine" and others.
