Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves began his presentation to the Buckhead Business Association on Jan. 12 by flatly stating there will be no tax increase in the upcoming budget.

“For the five years that I’ve been here we have not raised taxes in our general fund and I’m not going to raise them this year,” Eaves said.

With that out of the way, Eaves went on to talk about support for a penny sales tax for regional transportation projects, lowering the county’s high school dropout rate and economic development.

“In our $600 million budget I have proposed the institution of an economic development division,” Eaves said. “Modestly funded ($750,000), this entity will serve as a coordinator a catalyst of economic development activities throughout the county.”

Eaves also called on business leaders to support the penny sales tax for transportation.

“There is somewhat of a negative climate in terms of taxation, but it’s important for us, particularly those of you in the business community, to be advocates of this,” Eaves said.