Voters will decide DeKalb County sales tax in November election

The DeKalb County Board of Commissions is putting a proposal to increase sales taxes on November's ballot.

The board voted 5-1 on Tuesday to hold a Nov. 7 referendum on the sales tax increase, from 7 percent to 8 percent.

The special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) would raise about $100 million annually over the next six years for long overdue road repaving, fire station repairs and other backlogged infrastructure construction.

In addition, voters will also be asked to decide in November on a proposal to decrease homeowners’ property taxes.

If approved, the existing homestead option sales tax (HOST) would be used entirely to reduce county property tax bills. Currently, 80 percent of HOST goes toward property tax relief, and 20 percent is sent to local governments.

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