So throw this recent development at the Georgia Capitol today onto the discussion pile as we begin debating the merits of a Decatur tax increase to build more school infrastructure.

The AJC reports that the Georgia House of Representatives passed a bill this morning that will increase the sales tax in DeKalb County to 8%, matching Fulton County’s current rate.  The tax would raise about $100 million a year for capital improvements around the County.

But that’s not all — the legislation would also use the EXISTING 1 penny sales tax to reduce county residents’ property taxes.

How much money are we talking here?  Well, luckily Rep. Mike Jacobs used Decatur in his hypothetical example…

For example, property taxes would decrease by $625 on a $300,000 home in Decatur, Jacobs said. On a $500,000 Decatur home, property taxes would drop $1,065.

So, it seems like if this bill were to pass, it would more than offset the increase Decatur residents would see if they approved a $82 million GO Bond for the school system.  Tax increase estimates for the GO Bond have been estimated in the range of $667 – $864 on a $500,000 home, depending on the amortization period.

The bill now advances to the Georgia Senate for consideration.

Photo: Georgia Capitol by Connor.carey at via Wikimedia Commons

At tonight’s Decatur City Commission meeting, Superintendent Phyllis Edwards will give an “information briefing” on the school system’s request for an $82 million bond project that would pay for the further expansion of school system facilities to accommodate growing enrollment.  More on that HERE.

The information briefing will occur during a 6:30p work session.  Prior to the work session, the city will host the school board and CSD staff at a 5:45p dinner session.

Photo courtesy of Panoramio

Just a friendly reminder – The Decatur School Board is holding a special meeting tonight at 7:30p at the CSD Central Office to discuss the impact of the $82 million GO bond the board has officially requested be put before voters in November.  The official action item on the agenda is…

Request the Board approve direction timing and millage request for the GO Bond prior to joint meeting.

In preparation for the meeting, the AJC provided a summary of the issue over the weekend, which summarized the issues associated with the bond project and added…

There’s also the question if older residents, or residents without children, or residents with children who’ve aged out of CSD, should pay for extensive school additions. In recent weeks the city’s asked the General Assembly for Homestead Exemptions for those over 65 with fixed or low incomes. It’s also collating data from a recently-completed Lifelong Community survey asking how Decatur can remain a desirable home for older residents as well as young families.

“I’m really concerned in general about the future of our school district,” co-chairman Julie Rhame told fellow board members during a Feb. 10 meeting.

Additionally, Decaturish posted a few quotes this morning from the three Decatur City Commissioners present at last week’s meeting regarding the bond issue.  For now, the Commission seems to be taking a “wait and see” approach before giving an opinion on the issue.

Photo courtesy of Google Streetview