Butler and three other senators from the seven-person committee — Sens. Gail Davenport, Steve Henson and Ronald Ramsey — heard presentations from DeKalb County officials and comments from the audience.
“Among the topics discussed were … what service contracts DeKalb County provides its city citizens, revenue lost after areas incorporate, potential revenue that would be derived from the incorporation of the city of DeKalb … [and] how special tax districts work,” Butler said.
DeKalb County spokesman Burke Brennan said the county has lost out on about $18 million a year with the incorporation of Dunwoody in 2008 and an estimated $25 million a year will be lost with the incorporation of Brookhaven.
“That is the loss of prorated property taxes, business licenses and certain fees,” Brennan added.
He said it was estimated several years ago that an incorporated city of DeKalb could benefit from a potential revenue source of about $30 million in franchise fees, but they are not available anymore.
The idea of incorporating a city of DeKalb has been proposed multiple times in the past.
Butler said there was mixed feedback from the audience about whether incorporation would be good or bad.
The committee plans to create a report at the end of its study. Two meetings are scheduled for Nov. 29 and Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol building.
The meetings are open to the public.
What's next?:
The Senate study committee will meet again Nov. 29 and Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol, 4th floor, Room 450.
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