The Decatur Minute

This is a reminder that all city offices are closed for the Christmas Holiday, Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, and for New Year’s Holiday, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.

Regular solid waste and recycling services for Thurs., Dec. 22 will be on Wed., Dec. 21; Fri., Dec. 23 will be on Thurs., Dec. 22.; Monday Dec. 26 will be on Tues., Dec 27; Tues. Dec. 27 will be on Wed. Dec. 2.

Regular solid waste and recycling services for Monday, July 2 will be on Tues., Jan. 3; Tuesday services will be on Wed., Jan. 4.

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Beginning TOMORROW, Wednesday, December 14, W. Trinity Place will be closed between Atlanta Avenue and Water Street for the painting of the MARTA mural. The street will be closed Wednesday-Friday (December 14-16),  9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Decatur Police will be present to assist with traffic detours.

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Sunday, Dec. 11

• Downtown Decatur Food Tour, 11- 2 p.m.
• Decatur Civic Chorus Annual Christmas Concert, 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 14

• Decatur Farmers Market, 4-7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec.  15

• Terrific Thursdays
• Bonfire & Marshmallow Roast, 7:00 p.m.

 Saturday, Dec. 17

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

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Do you know a public servant who goes far beyond his/her job to strengthen our community, serve as a role model, and contribute to our community on an ongoing basis? The Decatur Business Association is calling for nominations for the 15^th annual Thomas O. Davis Public Servant Award to honor a public servant – one who often goes unnoticed in his/her work but serves as an inspiration and who exemplifies honesty, integrity and professionalism in the performance of duties. The public servant can work in any government sector as long as they serve in a non-elected capacity. The award is not limited to City of Decatur employees.

The DBA established the award in memory of Thomas O. Davis, Decatur’s city attorney from 1968 until his death in 2000. Submit a nomination by writing a letter/statement explaining why the nominee should receive the award. The deadline for nominations is December 20. For information or to submit a nomination, call 678-553-6548 or email leeann.harvey@decaturga.com. Nominations may also be dropped off at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St., second floor, Community and Economic Development department or mail to P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031.

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As mentioned on the Decatur Tax Blog, most seniors will be granted the new age-65 homestead exemption from school taxes automatically.

The new school exemption, which is called the S-4, will be factored onto the accounts of any homeowner with the already existing age-65 exemption known as the GH-2. No separate application is needed.

However, qualified homeowners who have never applied for the GH2, such as people who turned 65 during 2016, should visit City Hall at 509 North McDonough Street to apply between Jan. 3-Mar. 15, 2017. You will need to bring photo ID showing age and address.

Homeowners over the age of 62 with income under $50,000 may also qualify for another new homestead exemption approved in November, which is the GH-3. If the homeowner’s Georgia taxable net income plus the income of his or her spouse and the income of any resident family member totals less than $50,000, then the homeowner is eligible to apply for this new GH-3 exemption. This exemption will reduce the taxable value of a home by $15,000 for a projected annual savings of approximately $160 (computed using current millage rates which are subject to change). To apply for the GH-3, please come to City Hall between Jan. 3-Mar. 15 with a copy of your most recent available tax return and photo ID showing age and address.

Two other ballot questions that were approved do not create new exemptions, but expand existing exemptions. Homeowners do not need to re-apply to receive the full benefit. The increased exemption amounts will be granted automatically.

Homeowners who turned 62, 65, 70, or 80 during 2016 are encouraged to call the Decatur Revenue Division at 678-553-6743 to determine if they have become qualified for an exemption for which they were not previously eligible. To qualify for any age-based exemption, the claimant must be the age specified before January 1 of the tax year for which the exemption is sought.

Further information on Decatur’s other homestead exemption and tax relief programs can be found at www.decaturga.com/homestead.

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If you would like to be entered for a chance to win the Commissioner’s Cup for Decorate Decatur, please email photos of the decorations along with your name and address to shirley.baylis@decaturga.com by Sunday, December 11^th.

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The City of Decatur offers seven homestead exemptions for which resident homeowners may qualify. These include general exemptions based on ownership and occupancy as well as exemptions based on age, income and disability. A complete list of exemptions and qualifications is shown in the chart below.

A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your home. For example, if your home is appraised at $200,000, then the assessed value is 50 percent of that amount, or $100,000. With a $20,000 homestead exemption, you only pay taxes on $80,000.

Homestead exemption applications are accepted year-round; however, to grant an exemption for the current tax year, we must receive your application no later than April 1. However, please note that although we can accept homestead exemptions until April 1, we encourage eligible homeowners to apply for any new exemptions prior to March 15 to ensure your exemption appears on your 1st installment tax bill.  Applications received after April 1 will be processed for the following tax year.

If you have previously applied for a homestead exemption, you do not need to re-apply. If you filed for a homestead exemption with DeKalb County, you must also apply with the City of Decatur. You must also apply if you now qualify for an exemption based on age or income for which you did not previously qualify.

If you reside at the property you own, you may apply for the general homestead exemption online. Applicants for all other exemptions based on age and/or income must apply in person at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St., Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Click here for further information.

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