DeKalb County finalizes 2025 millage rates with significant tax relief for homeowners

DeKalb County officials held their third and final public hearing on the 2025 millage rates on July 8, 2025, discussing significant changes that could impact local homeowners. The proposed millage rate is set at 12.427 mills, which represents a 27.63% increase from the rollback rate of 9.737 mills. However, due to various exemptions and credits, many residents may see a decrease in their net property taxes.

The meeting highlighted the importance of understanding millage rates and property taxes, particularly for homeowners eligible for exemptions. The basic homestead exemption allows homeowners to deduct $10,000 from their property value, and the deadline to apply has been extended to July 14 this year. Additionally, the property tax assessment freeze protects homeowners from tax increases due to rising property values.

A unique feature in DeKalb County is the Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOS), a 1% sales tax dedicated to property tax relief. This year, the county plans to distribute $31 million in EHOS credits, which will effectively reduce the net property tax for many homeowners, despite the proposed increase in millage rates. For instance, a home valued at $450,000 will see a reduction in net property taxes from $1,842 last year to approximately $1,561 this year, resulting in savings of about $280.

During the public hearing, some residents expressed concerns about the fairness of the EHOS tax, arguing that it disproportionately affects low-income renters while benefiting homeowners. One speaker urged the commissioners to reconsider the millage rate increase, suggesting it should be closer to 7% to align with inflation rates.

Despite these concerns, the board moved forward with a recommendation to approve the substitute agenda item, which includes the proposed millage rates. The commissioners emphasized that the overall goal is to provide tax relief to homeowners while maintaining essential services funded by the county.

As the meeting concluded, officials reiterated their commitment to transparency and community engagement, ensuring that residents understand how these tax changes will affect their financial responsibilities and the services provided by the county. The next steps will involve finalizing the millage rates and implementing the tax relief measures as planned.