DeKalb Commissioners approve millage rates and
mid-year budget adjustments
No increase to millage rates for most residents
Decatur, Ga. – The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s mid-year budget adjustments and adopted the 2013 tax rates at its regular meeting July 16, 2013. The mid-year budget shows that an additional $1 million will be designated to the budgetary reserve.
The anticipated reserve is a result of a smaller than expected decline in the property tax digest. The County built its 2013 budget on the possibility of a 3 percent decline in the tax digest (value of property).
“This reserve shows that DeKalb is going in the right direction,” DeKalb County Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May said. “I encourage the department heads to continue this kind of focused, hard work in order to keep the County on this positive track.”
During the regular meeting, District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson noted the reserve could support public safety personnel.
“This additional $1 million gives DeKalb County the opportunity to hire 25 police officers and 41 firefighters—positions that have been vacant,” Commissioner Johnson said. “Balancing the budget and having a reserve has been tough to do in this economic climate and all those who contributed to this surplus should be commended.”
Property owners will receive a credit this year on their tax bill from the Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST) of 66 percent. The credits will vary. For example, for a $200,000 home in unincorporated DeKalb, homeowners will see a further reduction in their tax bill from 2012.
In addition, the millage rate in unincorporated DeKalb County will remain at $21.21.
Property tax bills will be mailed by Aug. 15, 2013. County property owners can pay the taxes in two installments due no later thanSept. 30 and Nov. 15 this year. Payments not made by this date will be considered delinquent.
DeKalb County is Georgia’s third largest county with more than 700,000 residents calling it home. Known for its business and education hub, growing international community and natural wonders, DeKalb County Government is administered by Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May and legislative policy is set by a six-member Board of Commissioners.
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