Taxes
The 2007-2008 city budget has been adopted and goes into place July 1. While it is a realistic budget and tight, it does allow the city to continue to move toward its goal of a clean, vibrant and active city. There are significant changes in the way we recruit, hire and pay police officers in an effort to reach a fully staffed force. In November the city will make the last payment on the bonds for the conference center and parking deck which will lead to a decision of whether we continue in that business or sell the facilities. The money we collect from the hotel-motel tax goes toward that debt and when the bonds are paid we will install a tourism board so that we can legally continue to collect the tax. The funds will then be used for maintenance and upkeep. There are funds for a marketing study to look for ways that we can support our existing businesses and restaurants. In these tough times we must continue to look for ways to help our local economy. There are some other key items in this year’s budget which I will address later. As tight as this budget is, it continues to put pressure on us financially through property tax. We continue to look for ways to lower our property taxes and one way to help keeps popping up - Annexation. It is obvious and will make a significant difference in all of our property tax bills. More later. I know I haven’t written much lately but that will improve. Thanks for your interest and patience.
Posted in City Government | 
June 19th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Where could I find a map of the current areas being considered for annexation? I live just ourside the city limits and would be interested in knowing if my neighborhood is being considered for annexation and what the impact would be.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Mr. Floyd, have you considered trying to determine what the citizens of your city want in terms of annexation? How about a survey or round tables or something to give you an idea of what the average Joe Decatur thinks about all of this? Is there any reason why we can’t take the pulse of the residents? Is it not a proper factor in the decision making process?
The situation at the January meeting indicates a good bit of opposition to annexation from within Decatur itself. Why not explore that before moving forward?
Also, I thought that this whole thing was tabled for a year. However, there are rumors that City of Decatur is starting a substantial publicity campaign in the proposed annexation areas in the next month or so. Also, there is a meeting between the City and the Midway Annexation Committee on August 6. Could you please comment here on the status of that campaign/meeting and how that is consistent with tabling annexation? Also, is the Midway meeting an open meeting or is it only for the Midway folks and the City folks?
June 29th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Why should the city of Decatur just dig into people’s pockets by forcing the annexation? We don’t want it. We live off of Medlock between the City of Decatur and Suburban Plaza. We chose to live here because we didn’t want to pay the City of Decatur taxes. The City of Decatur is starting to mess with people’s retirements and personal budgets. It is wrong.
I received this from the email I sent State Rep Stephanie Stuckey Benfield.
Thanks so much for sharing your views against the proposed annexation of your neighborhood. I am taking input from the community on this issue and will also carefully review the recommendations from the City of Decatur that are expected to be released in the fall. I can assure you that I will not introduce legislation during the 2009 session (which begins in January 2009) if the majority of residents in your area are opposed to the annexation proposal. Thanks again for taking the time to contact me.
State Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield
House District
(404) 656-7859 (Capitol)
(404) 964-7025(cell)
http://www.stuckey.org
Anyone can email their opposition to her at stuckey@mindspring.com.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
State law requires that if the area is comprised of at least 500 people, a referendum has to be held in the area to be annexed.
Some residents in the area support the annexation. It would likely increase property values due to city services and inclusion in the City of Decatur schools, which would be a significant upgrade from Dekalb County schools.
Also, Representative Benefield would actually have to show up during session - not her strong point - to impact this.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:59 am
I dont get it…why doesnt the city just annex the proposed commerical areas? No burden on the school system, more tax money for the city, less taxes for the citizens, minor increase for police patrols and fire…and it seems it would be easier to transition the businesses than to transition the large population of people between Avondale and Decatur.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:09 am
Nice post, you got some good points there - thank you.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
So, if we can skip the vote if fewer than 500 residents are involved that seems to be another argument for just annexing the commercial areas. Could we get to commercial without involving 500 residents.
Also, if we are tying to increase the commercial to residential mix, why would we be adding in so much residential? Seems like our ratio won’t improve much if we add all of the neighborhoods. I don’t have any numbers on that - maybe the City could publish some.
August 8th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Hello Mayor,
Regarding annexation, I support you and I think your actions are tempered and logical and thoughtful. I lived through an annexation of an entire military base in Glenview, IL, and the finished product is fantastic. People can be informed that the gem of Georgia - or Decatur - can thrive and can exceed citizen expectations with annexation.