City Council OKs Budget Cuts, New Millage Rates After County Cuts Property Value Assessments

Stone Mountain city council approved higher millage rates and cuts to this year's budget in an effort to make up for the $300,000 shortfall caused by DeKalb County's lower property value assessments.

The council approved a resolution amending the budget, lowering it by $49,850. The millage rate was raised to 14.3 mills from 10 so that property taxes will remain the same despite the county's lower assessments.

The county's latest assessments reduced property values in the city by more than 38 percent, City Manager Barry Amos said. 

Most of the savings in the budget reduction are by attrition -- not filling a vacant full-time police department job -- and by cutting road maintenance expenses.

The council also approved Lord-Aeck-Sargent as the design consultant for the renovation of the historic train depot. The contract totals $31,313.

Beer and wine licenses for Artisan and Quick Bite restaurants were also approved.