DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Neighbors are just one day away from a vote that could significantly increase the property tax rate in their metro Atlanta city.
The Brookhaven City Council will vote Tuesday raising its property taxes for first time since 2015. The current rate is 2.74 mills. If it passes, it would jump to 3.85 mills, which is about a 40% increase.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Sadia Carathimas and her husband own a home in Brookhaven. It’s where they are raising their family. But she says the cost of living there could force them out of the city.
“We do understand that taxes goes to fixing the community making sure things are good parks are being built,” she told Channel 2’s Cory James. “If it’s too high, we cannot afford it. We have to leave. We have to move to places we can afford."
That may be the reality for them if the city councilmembers vote to approve raising the millage rate.
But some neighbors like Shawn Elms told James they are OK with the millage rate hike. Elms just wants it to be clear what their money will be used for in the city.
“It’s what it goes to. 40%, 50%, you know 90%, if you’re going to take a 90% tax and turn it into an incredible education, healthcare, everything our community will need, then we have to have conversation about that. If you drop to 5%, how will anything get paid for?" Elms said.
Brookhaven hasn’t changed its millage rate since 2015. But at a time with rising costs, Carathimas is worried what this would do to taxpayers wallets.
“Adding this in property, it’s like choking the community," she said.
The city council will hold two public meetings before Tuesday’s vote at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
TRENDING STORIES