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**UPDATE: This Open Office Hour has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 1 from 7-8 p.m., so that it does not conflict with the Community Transportation Plan Update meeting**

Decatur will host its sixth and final Open Office Hour of the year with Commissioner Brian Smith on Wednesday, November 1 from 7 – 8 p.m. Commissioner Smith will speak for approximately 15-20 minutes on the topic of the role of youth in the City of Decatur as well as development.

The community is invited to tune in to watch and listen and will be able and encouraged to submit questions related to the topic live via Twitter, Facebook, email or phone. If you already have a question in mind, submit it on Open City Hall now, http://www.decaturga.com/whats-new/open-city-hall.

*This question will close at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1. After this time, questions can be submitted live via Twitter, Facebook, email or phone beginning at 7 p.m. (Details will be posted right before the meeting).*

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The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) was enacted in 1985. The SPLOST was conceived and enacted as a county tax for funding capital projects. It is not a municipal tax, nor is it a joint county-municipal tax like the regular Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). As a county tax, a SPLOST can only be initiated by the board of commissioners.

WHAT IS A HOST AND EHOST?

In the 2015 Georgia Legislative Session, HB215 was adopted that provided an option to suspend the existing Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST), replace it with an Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST), and add a one-cent Special Purpose Option Sales Tax.

The current HOST uses 80% of its proceeds to fund homestead exemptions from all County property tax funds except debt service for bonds and schools for taxpayers in owner-occupied, single family residences.  This produces a differential benefit between unincorporated and incorporated DeKalb County taxpayers.   To minimize the differential, cities receive a distribution from the 20% of HOST proceeds set aside for capital improvements.  With the incorporation of new cities, the County receives almost no capital funding from HOST proceeds.

If EHOST replaces the HOST, then 100% of the proceeds from EHOST would fund homestead exemptions from DeKalb County property tax funds for general county operations and the hospital authority in owner-occupied, single family residences.  This eliminates the differential benefit between unincorporated and incorporated DeKalb County taxpayers because all taxpayers pay the same tax rates for these services.

Currently, HOST revenue to the City covers debt service payments for improvements to Fire Station #1, Decatur Recreation Center, Public Works building and the Beacon Municipal Complex in addition to funding some capital projects.  If EHOST is approved, the HOST funding would be eliminated. If approved, the SPLOST proceeds would replace the HOST funding.

The Legislation, SB 156, determines how the SPLOST proceeds must be spent and DeKalb will comply with the rules included in the legislation.

The SPLOST bill was passed by the Georgia General Assembly on March 30, 2017.

Senate Bill 156 (SPLOST/EHOST Bill) was signed by Governor Deal on May 8, 2017.

Several factors determine the length of time that a SPLOST may be imposed. In general, the tax may be levied for up to five years. If the county and municipalities enter into an intergovernmental agreement, the tax may be imposed for six years.

WHO ESTABLISHED THE REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR SPLOST?

The county is responsible for estimating the SPLOST revenues expected to be collected over the life of the SPLOST, as well as the costs of all projects to be financed.

HOW MUCH DETAIL IS REQUIRED IN THE SPLOST REFERENDUM?

The SPLOST law requires that the purpose or purposes (i.e., the capital outlay projects) for which SPLOST revenues will be used be written on the ballot. The degree of specificity is left to the county or municipality imposing the SPLOST.

WILL SPLOST, EHOST AND HOST BE ON THE BALLOT?

YES.  Citizens will vote on whether to approve a SPLOST and whether to suspend HOST and replace it with an EHOST.

HOW WILL THE EHOST AFFECT THE CITY’S BUDGET?

If the referendum passes, the impact on the city’s budget will be manageable because the estimated SPLOST funding is only slightly less than the current HOST funding.  In addition, the current HOST funding is anticipated to decline with the addition and growth of cities in DeKalb.  In summary, the referendum includes a vote on replacing HOST with an EHOST (Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax) and the imposition of a SPLOST.  The EHOST should reduce county taxes for City of Decatur taxpayers in owner-occupied, single family residences.  The SPLOST would serve to replace the city’s current HOST revenue.

WHAT CAN THE FUNDS BE SPENT ON?

Roads & Transportation projects, Public Safety projects, and Capital Outlay Projects.

WILL THERE BE A LIST OF PROJECTS?

Yes, the Decatur City Commission approved the list of projects on September 18, 2017.  If the SPLOST is approved, proceeds allocated to the City of Decatur will be used for the following projects:

• improvements to the Atlanta Avenue/West Howard Avenue/West College Avenue intersection, which is the last intersection improvement project from the 2007 Community Transportation Plan,

• bicycle, pedestrian and traffic calming improvements,

• and debt service on recent city facility improvements.

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On November 15, the City of Decatur and Decatur Development Authority will host a Small Scale Real Estate Development Workshop.  Get a big picture view of small scale real estate development.  The Workshop offers specialized training about how to create small projects, like 1-3 story buildings with less than 20 units, which are residential, commercial or mixed use. The Workshop is a day-long session designed to introduce the principles and implementation mechanisms behind neighborhood based development projects.  The course assumes you know a lot about where you live, but not necessarily much about the real estate process or building development. Discover where you need help and meet the people who can help you. Through presentations on finance, design and site selection, a hands-on practice exercise, and networking with local like-minded people, this workshop is the first step to becoming a small developer yourself or creating a supportive ecosystem for small development in your city.
WHAT: Small Scale Real Estate Development Workshop

WHEN: Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

WHERE: Courtyard by Marriott, 130 Clairemont AvenueDecatur, GA, 30030

COST: Early Bird Registration Rate ($185) Concludes Friday, October 20, 2017
Regular Registration Rate ($215) Concludes Friday, November 10, 2017
Last Minute Registration Rate is ($245)

Register today at http://www.incrementaldevelopment.org/events/decatur2017

Who Should Attend?

• Individuals in construction, design, planning or real estate looking to either enhance their current practice or make career transition
• Volunteers or professionals in business associations, main streets associations, historic preservation groups and neighborhood improvement groups looking to champion incremental development in their communities
• Public sector professionals in city management, economic development, planning, and related agencies who are looking to make it easier for small development projects to occur in their town
• Professionals in non-profit development organizations, churches, and community development or housing development organizations who need new strategies for small lot development
• Private banking professionals specializing in mortgages, commercial real estate loans or SBA loans and professionals as at Community Development Financial Institutions and Community Foundations who want to become more effective investors

A limited number of scholarships* for the workshop are available, apply here! 

*Please note to be eligible for a scholarship you need to be a resident, business owner, or property owner of Decatur.

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This is a weekly blog post that lists all of the events and sales going on around town. It will be updated daily. If you would like to add an event, email renae.madison@decaturga.com.

Sunday, Oct. 15

• Downtown Decatur Food Tour, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 17

• Restaurants 4 Repairs, 5 p.m

 Thursday, Oct. 19

• Decatur Education Foundation’s Supper & Sips, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 21

• Genealogy Workshop, 9 a.m.
• Downtown Decatur Food Tour, 11 a.m.
• Scout Introduces Saturday Lunch
• Decatur Craft Beer Festival, noon
• Bicentenary Celebration, 5 p.m.

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Weather permitting, TPA Development Group  is planning to begin paving on Hillyer Place between East Howard Avenue and Commerce Drive Tuesday, Oct 10 .  The work will occur during the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is expected to take 3 days.

During that time, parking on the street will not be possible.  Traffic control will be provided by TPA, with detours for through traffic, if necessary.  Access to residences and businesses on Hillyer Place will be maintained during construction, but please plan ahead for possible traffic disruptions.

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This is a weekly blog post that lists all of the events and sales going on around town. It will be updated daily. If you would like to add an event, email renae.madison@decaturga.com.

Sunday, Oct. 8

• Downtown Decatur Food Tour, 11 a.m.
• Little City Lowcountry Food Festival, 1 p.m.

 Tuesday, Oct. 10

• Artist Reception, 6 p.m

Wednesday, Oct. 11

• Welcome Wednesdays!, 10:30 a.m.
• Decatur Farmers Market, 4-7 p.m

Saturday, Oct. 14

• Decatur Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Downtown Decatur Food Tour, 11 a.m.
• Pints for Pups, 2 p.m.

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Hurricane Nate may arrive as a tropical storm in the metro Atlanta area during daylight hours on Sunday, October 8. Heavy rains and strong winds are possible and tornadoes could be a risk from Sunday into Monday, which means we could also experience downed trees and loss of power.

• Currently, all City buildings are scheduled to open as normal and regular services provided on Monday and Tuesday. The City of Decatur does not take Columbus Day as a holiday, so unless the weather worsens,  expect solid waste to be collected on Monday and Tuesday.  If you live in the northeastern part of the City please delay setting out your recycling bins until Monday morning  so that recycling materials and bins don’t blow away or become hazards.

Important phone numbers

• If you see hazardous or unsafe conditions in Decatur that are not life-threatening, call the non-emergency number: 404-373-6551.
• If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 911.

• Power outages or trees on power lines should be reported directly to Georgia Power: 1-888-891-0938.

Reminders

• Register now or update your Smart911 profile at Smart911.com. You can opt-in for severe weather and other notifications as well as create or update your Smart911 profile with any special medical concerns (such as a household member who uses medical equipment that requires electricity).
• Make sure you have at least a three-day supply of necessities, including food, water, batteries, medicines and special items like diapers and pet food.
• If we begin to experience heavy rain, the potential for flooding and downed trees greatly increases. We ask that you please do not park on the street if you have off street parking available, in order to keep the roadways clear for emergency vehicles.
• Charge all cell phones and put fresh batteries in emergency radios. When contacting loved ones, a text message is more likely to get through than a phone call.
• Secure patio and lawn furniture.
• Download the FEMA smartphone app for additional tips and emergency information.
• And don’t forget to be neighborly and take a few minutes to check on the seniors in your neighborhood and bring all pets inside.

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