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Chamblee holds second public hearing on proposed 7.25 mill rate; average homeowner's city tax would rise about $214
Summary
At a second required public hearing, city staff presented a proposal to raise Chamblee's millage rate to 7.25 mills to fund a $35.9 million budget; staff estimated the average homeowner's city tax would rise by roughly $213.94 per year after homestead exemptions. The council invited public comment and scheduled a final hearing for June 16.
Chamblee City Council held the second of three required public hearings on the proposed 2026 millage rate, with city staff proposing a 7.25-mill rate and outlining the budgetary rationale for the increase. A city staff member said the proposed rate reflects a one-mill increase from the current 6.25 mills and would support a proposed or adopted 2025 budget of $35,900,000.
"Again, we are proposing a 7.25 mil millage rate, which is a 1 mil increase from our current millage rate of 6.25 mils," the staff member said, characterizing the increase as the first millage-rate adjustment for Chamblee in more than seven years. Staff noted the advertised rollback rate is 5.872 mills and that the percentage increase over the rollback rate is 23.47% as advertised.
City staff explained the proposal responds to a shortfall in collections—"we have only collected about 85% of the previous year's rate"—and rising costs across municipal services. Staff said the proposed rate would allow the city to maintain current service levels for public safety, infrastructure, parks and recreation and other general fund programs without reductions.
The staff member listed household impacts: the average fair market value for a single-family home in Chamblee is about $525,000, which staff said would produce an advertised city tax increase of about $275.60; after the $50,000 homestead exemption the average net impact was estimated at approximately $213.94 per year (about $18 per month). Staff also emphasized that DeKalb County and DeKalb County Schools make up the majority of most residents' tax bills.
The mayor opened the floor for public comment but no speakers addressed the council during this session. The staff member reminded attendees that the next and final required public hearing is scheduled for June 16 at 6 p.m., and the city must adopt a millage rate by July 1.
