Dunwoody Development News

Dunwoody City Council Reviews Proposed Millage Rate for FY2026 Amidst Citizen Concerns

The Dunwoody City Council held a public hearing to discuss the millage rate for fiscal year 2026. The proposed millage rate remains at 3.040, which is not an increase. However, due to changes in property values and the rollback calculation, this rate represents a 0.5% increase or 0.125 mils. The average homeowner would see a minimal increase of $3.75 on their tax bill. The discussion also covered the breakdown of tax revenues, with property taxes accounting for about a third of the general fund revenue. A citizen speaker, Bob Hickey, voiced strong opposition to any tax increase, citing concerns about the timing of meetings, what he perceives as a backdoor millage rate increase through property value assessments, and significant increases in city expenditures and staffing over the years. He advocated for a decrease in the millage rate. Council members engaged in a discussion clarifying tax calculations, exemptions, and funding sources for infrastructure versus general operations, highlighting that sales tax (SPLOST) funds are primarily used for capital projects like paths and road improvements, not general fund operations like payroll. The meeting also touched upon the complexity of homestead exemptions, the audit processes for ensuring their accuracy, and the impact of state legislation limiting assessed value increases for homesteads.