Tax assessments arrived in the mail for many Decatur/DeKalb residents yesterday.  And after big “readjustments” last year, many residents were hoping for a bit of a reprieve this year.  But not so much, according to random comments I’ve seen from friends/neighbors online and the AJC…

Residential real estate assessments rose an estimated 7.8 percent this year, according to the county government’s preliminary tax digest figures. Unless the county reduces tax rates this summer, residents whose homes gained value will have to pay higher taxes.

Decatur recently lowered its millage rate for the coming year, however noted that it wouldn’t be enough to offset the rising property values in the city.

How’s your assessment look this year?  Ours looks to have risen somewhere around the estimated 7.8% average.  Fun, fun.

Screenshot of the DeKalb County Property Appraisal website

An interesting development in the evolution of Decatur’s ongoing property tax saga.

While the City held the millage rate steady for the coming fiscal year, Decaturish reported yesterday that the Decatur School Board voted to lower their millage rate from 20.9 to 20.5 mills.

Still the school system plans to conclude the school year with a $1.5 million surplus thanks to an estimated 12.75% increase in Decatur’s tax digest, due in part to rising property assessments – another recent discussion here.

Decaturish reported that the school board estimated that the lower millage would cost the system more than $500,000.

CSD plans to hold hearings on the new millage rate on June 19th and July 8th.