DeKalb proposes property tax hike, schedules public hearings

ajc.com

DeKalb County plans to raise property taxes this year.

Public hearings — which will be conducted remotely — are scheduled for next week.

The county said in a press release that it intends to increase taxes levied “by 7.13% over the rollback millage rate.”

Millage rates are applied to property assessments to calculate how much property tax residents owe. The rollback millage rate is the figure that would allow the county to collect the same amount of tax revenue as the previous year, had no new property assessments been conducted.

The proposed overall millage rate of 20.810 is the same as 2019. But because of an increase in property values, even a flat rate can represent a tax hike.

Officials said proposed millage rates do not factor in the equalized homestead option sales tax (or EHOST) credits that many residents qualify for.

Public hearings on the proposed tax increase will be held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23.

Residents are able to participate by calling 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936, conference code 217687. Residents can also participate on Zoom by using the following link: https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/7753778046