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Decatur publishes proposed budget for 2017-2018

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Decatur publishes proposed budget for 2017-2018

Decatur City Hall.
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Decatur City Hall.

The city of Decatur is inviting the public to peruse its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2017-18.

According to the budget, the city anticipates $25.2 million in expenses, an $862,560 increase over the current budget. The city plans to add a total of four full time positions – two in the Community and Economic Development department, two in Public Works – for a total of 225 full time employees. The city has added 17 staff members since 2013, according to the draft budget.

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The draft budget also accounts for the purchase of the 77-acre United Methodist Children’s Home campus, which the city is purchasing for $40 million. The city plans to spend $1.2 million on debt service and operating costs for the property. The operating and maintenance costs are estimated to be $500,000. The city is projecting a millage rate of 13.77 mills, up .60 mills, which includes a .20 increase in the general fund millage.

“Increasing the General Fund millage will result in a $45 increase in City of Decatur property taxes for a property valued at $500,000,” a letter attached to the budget says. “This increase is necessary due to the City’s pending purchase of the United Methodist Children’s Home property.”

The city is estimating a 5 percent increase in the property tax digest, but that’s considered a conservative figure.

“Unlike prior years, the DeKalb County Tax Assessor’s Office has not provided any preliminary property digest information,” the letter attached to the budget says. “It is our understanding that we will receive a digest report at the end of May.”

To read the full budget, click here. There will be three pubic hearings on the budget. They will be held on June 5 at 7:30 p.m., June 12 at 6 p.m. and June 19 at 7:30 p.m. All of the hearings will be held at City Hall, located at 509 North McDonough Street and they are all open to the public.

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