DECATUR -- DeKalb County homeowners may have to pay higher property taxes under a spending plan unveiled Monday by DeKalb government CEO Vernon Jones.

In his state of the county address, Jones said DeKalb government is facing tough economic times. He said dwindling revenues into the county's coffers might mean a reduction in DeKalb's homestead option sales tax, known as HOST.

"Because of the economic slump that has (resulted) in declining revenue, we receive less dollars," Jones said during his speech. "We can no longer provide 100 percent homestead exemption on property taxes."

By reducing the exemption rate, DeKalb homeowners would have to pay more in property taxes. The $473 million spending plan proposed by Jones would maintain HOST, but would cut the exemption to 77 percent. The budget represents a 6 percent increase over last year's spending.

Before delivering his address, Jones greeted a handful of protestors outside the county building who held signs objecting to the budget proposal.

"The budget ought to maintain HOST," said protestor Bob Dallas. "If we don't keep HOST, the people who are going to be worst affected are those struggling families who live in regentrified areas.

"What Vernon is doing is he's condemning the poor in this county to leave the county," Dallas said. "Which is wrong."

Said Jones: "These are tough times, not just in DeKalb but across this state and across the nation."

The proposed budget does not include improvements to county sidewalks street intersections.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners must approve the Jones proposal.

Jones also announced that his administration has set up a number for DeKalb residents to call to make suggestions about improvements to county government. The number is 404-371-3000.