DeKalb property taxes
Tax rates have increased three times in DeKalb County since 2004, the last time they were cut.
The largest increase came in 2011 as the county struggled to cope with the economic recession that resulted in a steep decline in tax revenue.
Taxes also went up in 2006 after voters approved issuing bonds to fund parks, and in 2009 after the city of Dunwoody incorporated.
Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May is now proposing a reduction in tax rates after the economic rebound has resulted in strong tax collections by the county.
DeKalb County’s proposed budget includes the first tax break for homeowners in a decade, but also sets aside money to equip police with body cameras and retain public safety positions.
Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May presented his mid-year 2015 fiscal plan to commissioners Tuesday, saying the county is “turning the corner” and governing responsibly.
The tax break is modest, but well-timed.
Fraud and bribery scandals have flourished in the DeKalb, damaging the county’s reputation. Even as May made his announcement, suspended DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis was on trial across the street at the county courthouse, facing allegations that he shook down contractors for campaign contributions.
“One of the best ways to restore that trust is by taking care of the people’s money,” May said. “We are on the right path.”
Property tax cuts in unincorporated areas would save residents about $50 a year on a $300,000 house and $35 a year on a $200,000 residence.
The budget also provides $1 million to partially fund body cameras for police in an effort to improve accountability. May said he expects to receive matching funds from the federal government, which would allow more than 400 front-line officers to be equipped with the cameras.
Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton said body cameras will benefit both police and residents. “DeKalb County is once again showing that public safety is a priority,” she said.
Commissioner Jeff Rader said body cameras are long overdue.
“Everybody is then protected by an objective record,” Rader said. “Eyewitness accounts aren’t as accurate as you’d like, so these are an essential piece of technology, and they’re certainly less expensive than guns or Tasers.”
A surging economy has resulted in much stronger than expected tax collections.
May said home values are increasing; more people are applying for business permits; and companies are looking to expand in DeKalb.
The taxable value of property rose 9.7 percent compared to last year, a sharp increase over a 3.6 percent countywide growth rate projected in December.
May’s proposed budget increases the county’s overall spending by about 5 percent to $1.33 billion compared to the last budget approved in February.
The commission could decide to reduce taxes even more than May suggested before voting on the budget July 14. May’s proposal calls for property tax rates in unincorporated areas to decrease from 21.21 mills to 20.81 mills.
“I would have preferred to see a larger drop in the millage rate,” said Commissioner Nancy Jester. “I certainly will advocate for a larger cut.”
Commissioner Stan Watson said the county’s elected officials want to give something back to residents.
“I would hope the tax cut is something the citizens will appreciate,” said Watson.
Unlike those living in unincorporated DeKalb, city residents will see a tax increase on the county portion of their bill this fall, though that hike will be smaller than initially estimated. Compared to 2013, however, city tax rates are decreasing.
Besides the tax reduction and the body cameras, May’s spending plan also pays for firefighter positions, sheriff’s deputies, parks and several other areas.
The budget calls for:
- Achieving a long-term goal of keeping at least one month's worth of operational spending in savings accounts. By the end of the year, the county would have $57.5 million in reserve.
- Retaining 22 firefighter positions that would have been lost to attrition without $1.5 million in funding.
- Preserving current staffing levels in the DeKalb Sheriff's Office at a cost of $1.1 million.
- Restoring $208,000 to the DeKalb District Attorney's Office.
- Dedicating nearly $1 million for county parks, money that had been removed in the prior budget.
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