New city of Tucker proposes no property taxes

Supporters of Tucker cityhood cheer as Frank Auman, who would later be elected mayor, announced on Nov. 3, 2015, that voters overwhelmingly approved creating the city. Ben Gray / bgray@ajc.com

Supporters of Tucker cityhood cheer as Frank Auman, who would later be elected mayor, announced on Nov. 3, 2015, that voters overwhelmingly approved creating the city. Ben Gray / bgray@ajc.com

The young city of Tucker is preparing to charge residents a stunning amount for property taxes: $0.

The non-existent tax rate is possible because Tucker, which became a city of 35,000 residents last year, provides only a few services such as code enforcement, zoning and permitting.

The $7.6 million budget for Tucker's operations next fiscal year would instead be funded by charges for business licenses, alcohol licenses, permits and utility franchise fees.

Of course, Tucker residents will still owe property taxes for DeKalb County’s schools and government, which provide most local services.

“It’s about keeping promises,” said Tucker spokesman Matt Holmes. “A segment of people said this city is going to be more expensive, but folks elected to city leadership positions said, ‘No, it doesn’t have to be that way.’”

Besides Tucker, a few other cities in the Atlanta area also don't charge their residents property taxes for municipal services. Those cities include Braselton, Buford, Peachtree Corners and Rest Haven, according to Georgia Department of Revenue documents.

A feasibility study conducted before Tucker incorporated estimated the city would levy a 0.32 millage rate, worth $322,000 a year, to help fund services that were previously provided by DeKalb County. But city leaders have decided to forego any millage rate.

Metro Atlanta's two newest cities — South Fulton and Stonecrest — began doing business last month and haven't proposed tax rates.

A public hearing on Tucker’s proposed tax rate will be held at Tucker’s City Hall Annex at 6 p.m. on June 12. The Tucker City Council is scheduled to adopt the millage rate afterward.

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