DeKalb County Property Tax Increase... Awesome

Own property in DeKalb County? Well it's your lucky day! You're about to get to give the almost broke County a nice big bailout with their proposed increase in millage rate (aka property tax increase). If you would like to voice your opinion on this new increase- DeKalb County is hosting public hearings on Tuesday, July 5 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and on Tuesday, July 12 at 10 a.m. in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has tentatively adopted millage rates, which will require an increase in property tax rates as listed below (Area, 2011 rate, Rollback Rate, and % Increase):

• Atlanta: 10.39, 8.938, 16.25%
• Avondale Estates: 15.41, 13.464, 14.45%
• Chamblee: 13.71, 12.223, 12.17%
• Clarkston: 15.06, 13.242, 13.73%
• Decatur: 10.82, 10.087, 7.27%
• Doraville: 13.60, 12.607, 7.88%
• Dunwoody: 13.35, 11.357, 17.55%
• Lithonia: 15.33, 13.280, 15.44%
• Pine Lake: 15.61, 13.541, 15.28%
• Stone Mountain: 13.90,  12.980, 7.09%
• Unincorporated: 19.62, 18.017, 8.90%
• Countywide Debt: 1.08, 0.647, 66.92%
• Unincorporated Debt: 0.66, 1.631, -59.53%

This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 21.36 mills in the unincorporated area (goody-this is where we are), an increase of 4.50 mills in the incorporated areas. The large millage rate in the unincorporated areas is due to the fact that these residences and business don't pay the extra city taxes and don't receive city services and must rely solely on county services.

These millage rates are prior to the application of the Homestead Exemptions and credits from the Homestead Option Sales Tax. In 2010, the Board of Commissioners granted a 56.6 percent HOST Credit for County operations and maintenance based upon the use of 97.3 percent of last year’s HOST receipts. In 2011, the Board of Commissioners has voted to use 80 percent for the HOST Credit.

The hearings are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend. Whether or not you own property in DeKalb, these tax increases affect everyone including renters, shoppers, and customers!