UPDATE: New appraisals are online HERE if you don’t want to wait for the snail mail version.

This is always a fun time of year.

The Decatur Minute blog reports that the DeKalb County Tax Assessor’s office will be mailing annual assessment notices to property owners starting today.

As previously reported, the DeKalb Tax Assessors office has stated that the total value of property in Decatur has gone up by 20% in the past year, with 30% of the increase credited to new property being added to the tax rolls and the remaining 70% credited to the reevaluation of current properties.

So, it’s fair to say that many folks in the Decatur city limits will see an increased assessment this year.

Since the DeKalb County website can be difficult to navigate, here’s a link to the Appeal Process webpage should require it.

Related: remember that both the City of Decatur and City Schools are considering a 1 mill decrease in the tax rate due to this big property value jump.

As for the budget for the coming year, the Decatur Minute reminds us…

Public hearings on the millage rate and budget are scheduled for Monday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m., and Monday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. All hearings will be held at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street. The budget is available for review on Decaturga.com, at Decatur City Hall and at the Decatur Library.

Screenshot of the DeKalb County Property Appraisal website

Sorry for the late notice!  Summary courtesy of the Decatur Minute…

Come out to the Decatur Recreation Center on March 31st from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. to find out what’s in store for FY2015-2016. The purpose of the expo is to engage people of all ages in the city’s budgeting process in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

The expo will feature music, food and prizes. The popular budget bingo game returns this year, appropriate for ages 5 to 105. Public safety and public works vehicles will be parked in front of the Recreation Center for children and adults to see up close. Expo attendees will also be able to visit the Visitors’ Center tent and sign up as special events volunteers.

For more information about this event or the city’s annual budget, visit www.decaturga.com/budget

Everyone is encouraged to read through the city’s latest budget draft, which includes the highly readable “narrative” section, to get a sense for the city’s stated accomplishments in the past fiscal year and what’s on the horizon.

The city divides its goals for the coming year by the Principles listed in the city’s 2010 Strategic Plan.  Principle A, “Manage Growth, While Maintaining Character” includes to following “New Projects, Programs and Policies” for the coming fiscal year…

• Install a concrete chess table in the downtown district and in Harmony Park (Task 1D and 1E)

• Fund additional artistic bicycle racks in various commercial districts (Task 1D)

• Expand role of the PALS staff to become more active downtown ambassadors (Task 1E)

• Revise the calendar of City sponsored festivals and special events to replace some older events with new activities (like a Maker’s Faire) in partnership with local residents

• Complete the construction of the new Beacon Municipal Complex to anchor the western end of the Trinity Place corridor revitalization effort (Tasks 3B and 4E)

• Initiate the construction of Phase IV and Phase V of the downtown streetscapes program, intersection improvements at the North McDonough Street and Candler Street railroad crossings and the Oakhurst Business district streetscape program (Task 1A)

• Purchase additional umbrellas for tables around the Square (Task 1E)

• Work with private property owners to expand Decatur’s retail business offerings (Task 2A)

• Continue to expand programs like Sidewalk Saturdays, Small Business Week activities and implement a downtown sculpture gallery in partnership with local non profits to nurture a fun, festive, family-friendly atmosphere in our commercial districts (Task 2A)

• Extend the downtown storm drainage improvements to complete the replacement of the downtown storm drainage system (Task 1C)

Interested in digging deep into Decatur’s budgeting process?  Clear your calendar for tomorrow night…

Community Budget Gathering Tomorrow
DATE: Tuesday, May 20
TIME: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St.

The City of Decatur is hosting another Community Budget Gathering on Tuesday, May 20 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St. Join Budget Manager Meredith Roark, Assistant City Manager Andrea Arnold and others interested in learning about the City’s budget process.

This is your chance to find out how the budget process works and give your input. If you missed the first Community Budget Gathering back in April, don’t worry. Participation then is not required to attend tomorrow evening’s meeting. Sign up today with Meredith, [email protected] or call 404-370-4102, if you think you’ll be attending.

Graphic courtesy of the City of Decatur

The City of Decatur sends along this announcement/reminder…

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Tonight

Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St.

Stop by the Decatur Recreation Center between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. tonight for the second annual budget expo. Similar to an open house, the budget expo will feature items included in the proposed budget and give participants an opportunity to share their thoughts and comments regarding the budget with staff. You’ll also have the opportunity to play Budget Bingo and listen to live music from Michael Magno.

So come on out and chat with staff, see some cool things and maybe win a prize or two.

Onto the City’s future goals found in the Budget Narrative under Principle C of the 2010 Strategic Plan – Serve as Good Stewards of the Environment and Community Resources…

• Public Works Facility construction finalized (Task 11B, 12D)

• Beacon Municipal Complex construction begins (Task 11B, 12D)

• Beacon Muncipal storm sewer improvements begin (Task 13B)

• Offer incentives for home energy efficiency improvements (Task 12A)

• Install electric vehicle charging stations on city property (Task 12G)

• Create comprehensive policy for installing recycling bins in public spaces (Task 12A)

• Launch a green restaurant certification program (Task 13C)

• Research options for including sustainability in the Unified Land Development Ordinance (Task 12B)

Onto the city’s goals for the coming year under Principle B: Encourage a Diverse and Engaged Community, from this year’s Budget Narrative document…