Infighting between DeKalb County's commissioners and its CEO prompted the Georgia House on Wednesday to allow the county to have a special property tax fund for its Police Department.
The move is the first of its type in the state, creating a special tax district for police services that cannot be cut when trying to slash spending in the general fund.
“It’s the [County] Commission’s way of saying to the CEO that the shell game with the budget must stop,” said Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-Brookhaven, the sponsor of House Bill 607. The county’s legislative delegation unanimously backed the measure.
A drop in property values led DeKalb to spend all its reserve funds to pay for 2010. CEO Burrell Ellis proposed a 0.92-mill increase in property taxes in the $563.3 million spending plan he proposed to balance the budget and eliminate seven furlough days for employees last year.
The commission rejected the increase, instead cutting $33.6 million, including $5 million from the Police Department's budget.
Commissioners said residents have repeatedly said they don’t want a tax increase but would be willing to pay for police and public safety.
The special district, which would go into effect next year, still needs the Senate's approval.
About the Author
