Fulton County Board of Commissioners: How County Government Works for Atlanta Residents

Living in Atlanta means you’re also living in Fulton County, and that puts you under the direction of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners for many key public services. If you’ve ever wondered who sets your county property tax rate, who funds the library or court system, or who decides on improvements to county roads and parks, this is the group making those decisions.

This guide walks through how the Fulton County Board of Commissioners works, who represents Atlanta residents, what services they oversee, and how you can contact or participate in county government.

What Is the Fulton County Board of Commissioners?

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners is the governing body for Fulton County, Georgia, which includes most of the City of Atlanta and several surrounding cities.

The Board is responsible for:

• Setting countywide policies and laws (ordinances)
• Approving the county budget and property tax (millage) rate
• Overseeing major services such as courts, jails, public health, libraries, elections, and social services
• Making decisions about county facilities, capital projects, and infrastructure

Even if you mostly think of Atlanta’s Mayor and City Council, a large part of your daily life is affected by the county and, in turn, by the Board of Commissioners.

Where the Board Fits in Atlanta’s Government Structure

For someone living or working in Atlanta, it helps to understand the difference between city and county responsibilities:

• City of Atlanta handles:

  • City streets and sidewalks
  • Police and fire (inside city limits)
  • Zoning, permitting, and most local business licenses
  • Trash pickup and sanitation (for most neighborhoods)
  • City parks and recreation centers

• Fulton County, led by the Board of Commissioners, handles:

  • Courts (Superior, State, Magistrate, Juvenile, Probate)
  • Jail and Sheriff’s Office
  • Property assessment and property tax billing for the county portion
  • Public health (such as county health centers, some HIV/STD services, and vaccination programs)
  • Public libraries (Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System)
  • Elections and voter registration within the county
  • Some senior services, behavioral health, and social services
  • County-wide initiatives like arts funding and homelessness support

If your question is about courts, property taxes, public health clinics, or county libraries in Atlanta, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners is usually the decision-making body behind those services.

How the Fulton County Board of Commissioners Is Structured

The Board includes district commissioners and at-large commissioners, plus a Chairman who presides over meetings.

Representation for Atlanta Residents

Atlanta stretches across several Fulton County commission districts. Depending on where you live in the city, you are represented by one district commissioner, plus countywide at-large commissioners and the Chairman.

In general:

• Many Atlanta neighborhoods (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, parts of Buckhead, Westside, and Southwest Atlanta) fall under one of several Fulton commission districts.
• All Fulton County residents, including Atlantans, are also represented by:
  • The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners (countywide)
  • One or more at-large commissioners (also countywide)

To find your specific commissioner, you can:

1. Check your voter registration card for your Fulton County commission district; or
2. Use the “Find My Commissioner” or similar address lookup on the Fulton County government website.

Where the Fulton County Board of Commissioners Meets

Most Board business is conducted at the county’s main government complex in Downtown Atlanta.

Primary Location (Government Center)

• Fulton County Government Center
• 141 Pryor Street SW
• Atlanta, GA 30303

Commission meetings are typically held in the Assembly Hall or a designated board meeting room within this complex. Public hearings, budget discussions, and special work sessions may also take place here.

Some meetings or listening sessions may occasionally be held at other county facilities, such as the Fulton County North Annex in Sandy Springs or other regional service centers, but the downtown Government Center is the main hub.

Key Functions That Affect Atlanta Residents

1. County Budget and Property Taxes

The Board sets the annual Fulton County budget, which determines funding levels for:

• Courts and the justice system
• Sheriff’s Office and county jail
• Public health programs
• Libraries and arts programs
• Senior centers and social services

It also sets the county portion of your property tax rate (millage). For Atlanta homeowners, your total property tax bill is made up of:

• City of Atlanta taxes
• Fulton County taxes (set by the Board of Commissioners)
• Atlanta Public Schools or Fulton County Schools, depending on where you live

If you own property in Atlanta and have questions about changes in your county tax bill or millage rate, those decisions are debated and approved by the Board.

2. Courts and Justice System

Fulton County is home to several major courts that serve Atlanta residents:

• Fulton County Superior Court (felony criminal cases, major civil cases, divorces, etc.)
• Fulton County State Court (some civil and criminal matters)
• Magistrate Court (small claims, some landlord-tenant issues, warrants)
• Juvenile Court
• Probate Court

The Board of Commissioners is responsible for funding and supporting these courts, including courthouse facilities, staffing levels (outside of elected judges), and related services.

Courts in Atlanta are largely centered around:

• Fulton County Justice Center Complex
• Located near the Government Center in Downtown Atlanta, generally around Pryor Street SW, Peters Street SW, and Central Avenue SW.

3. Public Health and Human Services

The Board oversees Fulton County’s Department of Health and Wellness and Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities services. For Atlanta residents, that can include:

• County health centers offering vaccinations, STD/HIV testing, and family planning
• Some mental health and substance use treatment services
• Senior services, congregate meals, and case management
• Programs addressing homelessness and housing instability, often in partnership with the City of Atlanta and nonprofits

These services are typically provided through county health centers and service centers across Atlanta and North/South Fulton, with major hubs located in and near the city.

4. Libraries

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is funded and overseen by Fulton County, under policies approved by the Board. For Atlanta residents, this includes major locations such as:

• Central Library
  • 1 Margaret Mitchell Square
  • Atlanta, GA 30303

And branch libraries across Atlanta neighborhoods (e.g., Buckhead Library, West End Library, Ponce de Leon Library, and many more).

The Board votes on library system budgets, capital improvements, new or renovated branches, and major system-wide initiatives like expanded hours or new programs.

5. Elections and Voter Services

The Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections oversees elections for:

• Local offices (including Atlanta mayor and city council, when applicable)
• County offices (such as commissioners and sheriff)
• State and federal elections

The Board of Commissioners:

• Approves the elections budget
• May approve changes related to polling locations, early voting sites, and overall election operations
• Hears public feedback related to elections administration

Atlanta residents vote at polling locations based on their residential address, which are managed by Fulton County if you live on the Fulton side of Atlanta.

6. Arts, Culture, and Community Programs

The Board directs funding for several arts and cultural initiatives, grants, and partnerships that affect Atlanta’s creative community. This may include:

• Funding to arts organizations and nonprofits
• Cultural programming at county facilities
• Support for public art and community cultural events

Many Atlanta-based arts organizations interact with Fulton County for grant funding or partnership opportunities.

How to Contact the Fulton County Board of Commissioners

If you live, work, or own a business in Atlanta, there are several ways to contact your county leaders.

Main Contact Points

Fulton County Government Center

• Address: 141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Main Switchboard (typical): County governments often maintain a general information line you can call and then request the Board of Commissioners office or your district commissioner’s office.

You can typically:

• Call the main Fulton County number and ask to be connected to the Board of Commissioners office or a specific commissioner.
• Visit the Fulton County government website to find direct phone numbers and email addresses for each commissioner.

Reaching Your Commissioner

When contacting your commissioner, it helps to include:

• Your full name and address (to confirm you’re a constituent)
• A brief description of your concern or request
• Any relevant dates, locations, or case numbers (if you’re referencing a specific service or issue, such as a court matter, property tax bill, or neighborhood concern)

You can reach out about topics like:

• Concerns about county services (public health, libraries, senior support)
• Questions about the budget or tax changes
• Feedback on capital projects (new libraries, renovations, service centers)
• Issues with elections or voting access in your area

When and How the Board Meets (Public Participation)

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners holds regular meetings, often on a set weekday schedule (such as Wednesdays) at the Government Center in Downtown Atlanta.

What Happens at Board Meetings

Typical items on the agenda include:

• Budget approvals and amendments
• Contracts and purchasing
• Resolutions on public policy matters
• Public hearings (for the budget, millage rate, zoning matters in unincorporated areas, and other major decisions)
• Presentations by county departments

Meetings are generally open to the public, and Atlanta residents can usually:

• Attend in person at the Government Center
• Watch via livestream or recorded video, which the county commonly makes available through its official channels
• Sign up for public comment, subject to county rules and time limits

📝 Tip: If you plan to speak at a meeting, review the meeting agenda and public comment rules in advance. These are typically posted on the Fulton County government website ahead of time.

Practical Examples of How the Board Affects Daily Life in Atlanta

Here are some situations where the Board of Commissioners’ decisions may directly impact you as an Atlanta resident:

• You receive your property tax bill, and the county portion has changed – that links back to Board decisions on the millage rate and budget.
• Your local library branch extends evening hours or closes for renovation – these are usually the result of Board-approved plans and funding.
• You vote early in a Downtown Atlanta polling location for a major election – the location, staffing, and operating hours are supported by a budget adopted by the Board.
• You visit a Fulton County health center for vaccinations or other services – those services and clinic operations are overseen at the county level.
• Neighborhood conversations about jail overcrowding, court backlogs, or public safety spending often involve decisions made by or funded through the Board.

Simple Overview: Fulton County Board of Commissioners at a Glance

How to Figure Out If an Issue Is County or City

If you’re not sure whether to contact the City of Atlanta or Fulton County, use this quick guide:

• Likely County (Board of Commissioners):

  • Courts and jury duty
  • County jail or sheriff’s office
  • Property tax billing or assessments (county portion)
  • Public health clinics and some mental health services
  • Libraries and some arts/cultural funding
  • Voter registration and polling locations

• Likely City of Atlanta:

  • Trash pickup and recycling
  • City street repairs and potholes
  • Zoning and land use permits
  • City parks and recreation centers
  • Atlanta police or fire department (inside city limits)

When in doubt, you can call either the City of Atlanta or Fulton County Government Center and ask to be directed to the correct office. Staff are generally accustomed to helping residents navigate which level of government is responsible.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding the role of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners makes it much easier to know where to turn when you have questions about courts, taxes, public health, libraries, or countywide public services.