Tag: jeff rader

DeKalb Issues Notice of a Proposed Property Tax Increase

Jesse Thompson Leave a comment

From Commissioner Jeff Rader:

DECATUR - The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has tentatively adopted millage rates which will require an increase in property taxes by the following percentages:

                                         % Increase

    Unincorporated                       3.73%
    Avondale Estates Special Services    0.73%
    Chamblee Special Services            0.43%
    Decatur Special Services             1.33%
    Debt Service                         6.94%

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held on the following dates, at the indicated times and locations: Read More

Friendly Reminder if you received a property appraisal notice of assessment change

Jesse Thompson Leave a comment

From Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader

Even though the Tax Assessors office is recalculating property values based on the new law requiring among other things foreclosure sales and bank sales to be included in fair market value, your request to appeal the value needs to be submitted by May 18, 2009. The letter needs to be hand delivered or post marked by May 18, 2009. The address to mail the letter or hand deliver the letter is 120 West Trinity Place Decatur, GA 30030. If you choose to hand deliver the letter the office hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Executive Park Development

Jesse Thompson Leave a comment

From Commissioner Jeff Rader:

Final approval was granted for "The Park Druid Hills," a mixed-use development for the space occupied by the current Executive Park office complex (I-85 and North Druid Hills Road). This project incorporates several recommendations from the Quad Area Study conducted in 2007.

Those elements include green space, street boulevards with urban context, traffic calming techniques, and a street network that eventually can connect to other sections of the quad area bisected by North Druid Hills Road and Briarcliff Road. The feedback at public meetings, and through my office, indicated the surrounding neighborhoods were comfortable with the proposed location and density for this project.

The Quad Area study helped us to articulate a vision for the area, which in turn compelled the developers to implement the community's wishes. This project could set a new standard for public space in the district or county.

[The QAS report is available at: http://www.commissionerrader.com/issues/issue33.html]

LCI Grant Funds North Druid Hills Corridor Planning

Jesse Thompson

by Jeff Rader

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

When it comes to government action, the best preventive measure is to have a plan beforehand. Otherwise, a rushed decision could require more money and time to cure the problem.

All too often, county governments make decisions in a "silo", that is, looking at only some of the relevant facts. Capital spending decisions are based on the merits of building or upgrading a specific facility. Zoning application decisions are based on the merits of a developer's proposal for a specific parcel. These decisions are often made without the benefit of a relevant and specific comprehensive plan for an area, district or county. Read More