1. What is the process for approving a neighborhood for annexation?
Since this would be a neighborhood annexation, not a large scale annexation including other neighborhoods or properties, the neighborhood would need to submit a petition to the City of Decatur to be considered for annexation. 60% agreement is needed to be considered. The City will then take the petition, and census data to the school board for approval before moving forward with a commission vote.
2. What services does the city provide for its residents? And what services does DeKalb County provide for the Decatur residents? How does this change and affect our services if annexation occurs?
The City is a full-service municipal government. The City would provide all public safety; sanitation; planning, zoning and development services; recreation and parks; sidewalk construction. A full description of the City of Decatur services can be found at http://www.decaturga.com.
DeKalb County does not provide municipal services to City residents. DeKalb would continue to provide public health, public welfare, Courts and Sheriff services as required by the State of Georgia. DeKalb County provides all water and sewer services county-wide.
3. What is the approximate increase in taxes that Forrest Hills residents would pay if annexed by City of Decatur?
The estimate for 2007 for a home valued at $250,000 is an additional $1,400 more than current county taxes per year.
4. If annexed, what DeKalb County taxes would we no longer be paying?
Bonded indebtedness would be reduced; the special tax district for Fire Services would be eliminated because it is included in the City’s general fund levy; school tax revenue would be received by Decatur City Schools instead of DeKalb County Schools.
5. What are estimated changes in property values?
Assessments are based on the value established by the DeKalb County Board of Tax Assessors. Over the long term, increases of $10,000 - $20,000 over what would occur for unincorporated property for existing structures could be expected. New developments would probably see larger increases in value immediately based on the history of previous developments in the City of Decatur.
For additional information about the current property vales for comparable homes within City of Decatur limits see the following website… www.zillow.com or other real estate searches.
6. Does the DeKalb County property assessment freeze apply to City property taxes?
No. Currently there are several pieces of legislation being considered by the Georgia General Assembly that would limit property value increases. It is anticipated that something will be adopted statewide.
7. What are the senior homestead exemptions for the City of Decatur?
The senior homestead exemptions for the City of Decatur include $1,000 homestead exemption from the City taxes for resident owners who are 65 years of age or older; a $30,000 homestead exemption from City taxes and a $50,000 exemption from school taxes if you are at least 62 years of age and income is less than $25,000; a $10,000 exemption from school taxes if you are at least 62 years of age and income is less than $10,000; a $40,000 homestead exemption from school taxes if you are age 70 or older; and a complete exemption from school taxes if you are age 80 or older with less than $40,000 in income.
8. When calculating the $10,000 income limit for the Decatur City Senior Homestead exemption (S1) is Social Security and retirement income excluded as it is for DeKalb County?
Retirement income is excluded.
9. How do we get information about Decatur City Schools?
Information about City of Decatur Schools can be found at www.csdecatur.net/
10. Are Decatur City School taxes used for any projects that are not school related?
No.
11. What is the long term development plan for Decatur?
The City Commission adopted a ten-year strategic plan in 2000. It is anticipated that a new strategic plan will be developed by the community in 2009 for City Commission adoption. A copy of the current plan can be found at:
http://www.decaturga.com/client_resources/CGS/CitySvcs/CED/ced_sp2000_summary.pdf
12. If annexed, what guarantees would the neighborhoods have that zoning would not change to allow high density dwellings, i.e., condos, town homes or apartments, in our neighborhoods.
The City Commission has not rezoned any single-family residential property to allow high-density commercial or residential use.
13. Would annexed areas be eligible for sidewalks and bike paths?
The City’s current standard is to provide usable sidewalks on at least one side of every street. That standard would be in place for any newly annexed area and would be implemented over time.
14. What is the City’s street lighting standard?
The City’s standard is to have a street light on every other utility pole.
15. Does the City install traffic control devices such as speed humps?
A petition from residents is required. If approved by the City Commission speed humps are installed as a general cost to the City and are not assessed to individual property owners.
16. What will the city commission districts be?
The City Commission districts are currently divided on a north/south basis, with two commissioners from each north district and two commissioners from each south district and one at-large. The City is required to have districts that are balanced by population so while the immediate districts would not change, it is possible that re-districting to balance the population might be necessary in the future.
17. Will my County Commission district change?
No.
