The mid-year budget adjustments, recommended by DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis, were approved by the board of commissioners. The millage rate remains at the 2011 rate of 21.21 mills for unincorporated DeKalb County.

“Based on current rates, DeKalb County taxes remain low, and I applaud the board of commissioners for taking a responsible, measured approach in passing these mid-year adjustments,” said Ellis.

The HOST exemption for homeowners in DeKalb County will be at 59 percent in 2012, which means homeowners will only pay 41 percent of their county operating taxes. When this exemption is applied, it effectively reduces the millage rates for unincorporated homeowners to 10.12 mills. Compared to 2011, the net result is that the owner of an average-valued house in DeKalb County will pay $189 less in property taxes this year.

“The bottom line is that the average DeKalb homeowners will pay less in property taxes this year, thanks in large part to the HOST exemption that results in unincorporated residents paying 40 to 50 percent less in taxes than taxpayers in most municipalities within DeKalb County,” said Ellis.