Dunwoody council adopts 3.04 mill rate for fiscal year 2026 after no public comment

The Dunwoody City Council voted unanimously to adopt a 3.04 millage rate for fiscal year 2026 following a staff presentation and an empty public hearing. "This is the third and final public hearing for the adoption of the 2026 millrate," a staff member told the council before outlining the revenue breakdown and homeowner impacts.

The staff presentation explained that one mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed value and that the city proposes keeping its millage at 3.040 mills. Staff said approximately 85% of Dunwoody residential properties have applied for the homestead exemption and that a city assessment freeze for homesteaded properties remains in place for city taxes. The advertised difference from the roll-back rate — calculated at 3.025 mills — is 0.015 mills, which staff described as roughly a half-percent increase. Using sample property values, staff said the impact would be about $3.75 for a homesteaded property assessed at $650,000 and about $15.75 for one assessed at $2.6 million.

During council discussion, members questioned the net tax dollar increase shown in prior reporting. Staff noted that an initial estimate of about $1.2 million in additional net tax dollars for the city had been reduced after adjustments and appeals to roughly $690,000 in an intermediate report, and that final figures depend on the approved assessment digest expected in mid- to late July. A council member also raised an unrelated tax-policy note that, beginning in 2027, 1.5% of the insurance premium tax was reported to be diverted to a peace-officer benefit; staff said they would check the detail and report back.

The presiding official opened the public hearing, allowed the advertised comment period (10 minutes per side), and, finding no speakers for or against the proposal, closed the hearing. Council member Joe moved to approve the millage at 3.04 mills; the motion was seconded by Tom. After a voice vote, the presiding official stated the motion carried unanimously.

Following the vote, staff offered no additional comments. Council members briefly promoted upcoming community events, including a concert and a Saturday parade, before adjourning the meeting.

What happens next: staff will receive the final certified assessment digest in mid- to late July and will report final revenue figures once those numbers are available. The council did not receive nor record any public opposition during the hearing, and no amendments to the proposed millage were offered at the meeting.