DeKalb County

Metro Atlanta city issues warning about rising property taxes

DUNWOODY, Ga. — As home prices continue to go up, so do property taxes. Dunwoody is warning homeowners to get ready to pay more.

City officials announced plans to increase the 2023 property taxes it will levy this year by 1.57%.

The millage rate will remain at 3.04% – the same as last year.

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What the 1.57% reflects is property reassessments: As property values go up, what you pay in taxes can also go up.

Bob Dallas, an attorney who’s lived in Dunwoody for 40 years, told Channel 2′s Bryan Mims that he’s not surprised by the increase.

“First, the amount is relatively small,” he said. “We experienced inflation over the past few years that’s pretty significant, so we consider the cost of operating anything, including a city, to go through some kind of change.”

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In a news release, city officials said properties with homestead exemptions would see no increase in their 2023 taxes.

“Each year, the board of tax assessors is required to review the assessed value … of taxable property in the county,” the release said. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county shows an increase in the fair market value, tax assessors are required to “redetermine the value of such property and adjust the assessment,” the release said.

“If it goes up in value, and they don’t change the millage rate, the city is still going to get more money,” Dallas said. “So if it’s not being rolled back, in terms of the millage rate, then it is effectively a tax increase for the citizens.”

Dunwoody will host hearings on this tax increase at Dunwoody City Hall on June 12 at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and July 10 at 6 p.m.

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