DeKalb Commissioners Approve $1 Billion Tax Cut for DeKalb Homeowners

CEO Thurmond: ‘This is a transformational moment’

Today, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a tax cut proposal that is projected to save DeKalb homeowners $1 billion over a six-year period.

“This is a transformational moment in DeKalb’s history,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “We have the opportunity to benefit generations of DeKalb residents.”

In November, a referendum will be held to approve the Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) that would generate the property tax relief via a credit for homeowners who qualify for a homestead exemption.

If approved, this relief would begin in 2024.

Additionally, voters also could approve a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) that would generate approximately $850 million for capital improvements such as parks, libraries and senior centers for unincorporated DeKalb County and its cities.

The SPLOST funding would generate $496 million for unincorporated DeKalb County and $354 million, which would be distributed to DeKalb cities based on their populations for projects within their jurisdictions.