As the AJC reports, the Decatur City Commission approved waiving the sanitation and storm water utility fees for homeowners over age 70 in the city, who qualify for homestead exemptions at Monday’s meeting.

According to a note from City Manager Peggy Merriss to the Commission, qualified seniors will receive a $315 credit on their second installment tax bill that will be sent out later this month.

The Decatur City Commission has been looking for a way to provide tax relief to seniors since the Georgia House of Representatives defeated local legislation during the 2015 session that would have allowed the city to increase homestead exemptions for older residents.

The city plans to “move forward with the local legislation again in the 2016 General Assembly session”, according to City Manager Merriss’ note, but for now is making these additional tweaks that do not require legislative approval. The total cost to the city for the fiscal year is estimated at $340,000.

Also at the meeting, the city showed support for an August Decatur School Board resolution that would give full exemptions from the school tax millage for seniors 65 and over.  According to the AJC, the city is likely to approved a similar exemption in December.  However, such an exemption would also need to be approved by the Georgia Legislature, so it’s certainly not a done deal.

Photo courtesy of The City of Decatur

Atlanta recently made news scoring a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s second annual Municipal Equality Index.  In the same index, WABE followed up with a report that Decatur scored the lowest score in the metro area with just a 27 rank.

City Manager Peggy Merriss pointed out to WABE that Decatur’s small size and the structure of its government prevented it from checking off some factors used to create the score…

One factor used in the survey is having an LGBT official in government.  That is something that is tough for Decatur, which has a population of about 20,000.

“We don’t have mayor’s liaisons to anything.  He shares a desk with the four other city commissioners and when they come in, they have a desk and a phone they can use.  The mayor doesn’t even have an office,” says Merriss.

However, neighboring Avondale Estates scored a 56.  So a direct comparison of areas where either Decatur or Avondale scored points may shed some light on the discrepancy in scores.

Relationship Recognition

• Municipal Domestic Partnership Registry: Decatur 0 of 12, Avondale 12 of 12

Municipality as Employer

• Non-Discrimination in City Employment: Decatur 10 of 10, Avondale 10 of 10
• Domestic Partner Benefits: Decatur 4 of 4, Avondale 0 of 4
• Municipality if a Welcoming Place to Work: Decatur 0 of 2, Avondale 2 of 2

Municipal Services

• LGBT liaison in Mayor’s Office: Decatur 0 of 5, Avondale 5 of 5
• Enumerated Anti-Bullying School Policies: Decatur 3 of 3, Avondale 3 of 3

Law Enforcement

• LGBT Police Liaison or Task Force: Decatur 0 of 8, Avondale 8 of 8

Relationship with the LGBT Community

• Leadership’s Public Position on LGBT Equality: Decatur 2 of 5, Avondale 5 of 5
• Openly LGBT elected or appointed municipal leaders: Decatur 3 of 3, Avondale 3 of 3
• City engages with the LGBT community: Decatur 2 of 2, Avondale 2 of 2

h/t: Decaturish