DeKalb CEO calls for smaller tax increase

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DeKalb County commissioners will vote Tuesday on a budget with cuts to almost every department and county service, but no job losses.

Commissioners have spent the past two months scrutinizing spending to alleviate a property tax increase and help offset an anticipated $100 million deficit. Commissioners are calling for a $560 million budget for 2010.

Sunday, CEO Burrell Ellis released an amended budget proposal that calls for a $578 million budget. His proposal calls for a 1.08 mills increase in property taxes, which is about $36 for the average homeowner each year. The CEO previously called for a 1.86 millage increase.

Ellis said he reduced the proposed millage increase after identifying $6.7 million more revenue, including collecting more probation fees and serving more warrants. However, he said he feels the millage increase is necessary to avoid more cuts to public services.

Commissioners said they will likely reject the CEO’s budget and move forward with their own spending plan that includes no tax increase.

As part of their budget cuts, commissioners are calling for all county employees to not be paid on the remaining holidays in 2010, eliminating the majority of take-home vehicles and an early retirement program. Commissioners say they will consider layoffs if not enough employees sign up for the early retirement program.

The commission is scheduled to vote on a final budget Tuesday, but will not set the tax rate until June.