DeKalb County leaders are set to face a skeptical crowd at 10 a.m. Wednesday, when they hold a public meeting to walk residents through how revenue from a newly approved property tax increase will be used. The Board voted July 7 to set the countywide millage at 11.635 mills, roughly a 1% (1.02%) rise, a change officials say is meant to fund additional services and keep reserves in solid shape. The move has already sparked criticism from residents who want clearer accounting, especially in unincorporated neighborhoods.
What's on the table
According to the county's Notice of Property Tax Increase, the tentative 2026 millage of 11.635 mills is 0.117 mills above the rollback rate and would add about $21 to the annual tax bill on a home with a fair market value of $450,000. The notice lists public hearings on June 23 and July 7 at 178 Sams Street in Decatur (Multipurpose Room A1201), where county staff are expected to lay out how the extra dollars plug into the spending plan.
How the board acted
DeKalb's meeting records show the ad valorem millage and related budget revisions landed on the July 7 agenda as File 2026-1045, an item recommending adoption of the county's millage rates along with changes to the operating budget. The county's Legistar file 2026-1045 includes the draft materials officials are expected to rely on to walk through the specific line-item changes.
Neighbors push back
Several residents spoke against the increase and pressed county leaders on how tax dollars are being used, with particular concern about unincorporated areas, as reported by Atlanta News First. Commissioners told attendees the relatively small bump was intended to cover additional services and strengthen reserves, but speakers kept coming back to the same question: where, exactly, will the new money go.
Why the hearings were required
Georgia law requires that any proposed rate above the computed rollback level trigger extra public notice and a series of hearings, a safeguard meant to give taxpayers a formal chance to weigh in before higher bills land in the mail. LegalClarity and county documents explain the rollback mechanism that led to the June and July hearings.
What comes next
With the millage now set, final tax bills will be calculated using the adopted rates and are typically mailed in mid August, according to the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner's office. Homeowners looking for billing timelines, payment options, or information on appeals can find details through the Tax Commissioner's online resources at the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner's Office.
The 10 a.m. meeting is open to the public, and the county's agenda and backup documents are posted online. Residents who cannot attend in person can find video and related materials through the county meeting portal and Legistar. Local outlets such as WSB‑TV have also been tracking the issue and are expected to update their coverage after the session.
