The Decatur Minute

All Five Decatur Homestead Exemption Bills Move Forward To Governor For Signature

On Wednesday, March 16, 2016 the final City of Decatur homestead tax exemption bill passed the Georgia House of Representatives and the legislation will move forward for the Governor’s signature.  On March 8, four of the five homestead exemption bills passed but SB 343, the bill that provided the most significant tax relief from school taxes to citizens 65 and older was delayed.

The City of Decatur and City Schools of Decatur, along with members of the Lifelong Community Advisory Board, an active group of senior homeowners, and the business community worked together to encourage Decatur residents and other constituents to voice their opinion to the House of Representatives.

Decatur Board of Education Chair Annie Caiola said, “Today’s passage of Decatur’s senior homestead exemption was no small feat. The School Board is tremendously grateful to our City Commissioners, our State Legislators and our seniors who worked hard to get this important legislation passed. It just goes to show what our community is capable of when we work together.”

Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett added, “We especially appreciate Representative Mary Margaret Oliver for leading our efforts on the House side and Senator Elena Parent for sponsoring the legislation in the Senate.  We also want to thank our entire delegation including Howard Mosby, Rahn Mayo, and Karla Drenner, along with City Schools of Decatur and our activist seniors who were instrumental in getting a re-hearing for this bill.”

The next step is for the Governor to sign all five of the City of Decatur Homestead Exemption Bills.  After the Governor signs the bills, they will be voted on as part of a referendum on the November 8, 2016 ballot.

Don’t forget the 2016 Publix GA Marathon is this Sunday, March 20, 2016.  There will be road closures and delays along the route as it weaves through the city between approximately 7:15 am – 11:00 am.  The marathon enters Decatur on West College Avenue at Park Place near the East Lake Marta Station and exits the city in the 1100 block of Clairemont Avenue near the Decatur YMCA.  Keep in mind the marathon starts and ends in downtown Atlanta and travels through parts of DeKalb County as well.

We are roughly the halfway point for the runners and regularly receive feedback about how great it feels to come through Decatur and have so many people cheering.  Aside from the fixed cheering stations at West College Avenue & Mead Road, Fellini’s on Commerce Drive and in front of the Old Courthouse on East Ponce de Leon Avenue, it is not uncommon for residents to pop up along the route and cheer.  So if you have Sunday morning plans that require driving, plan on heading out earlier or later or plot an alternate route.  If you have no plans that require driving, it’s a great day to walk into downtown Decatur for errands, brunch and to cheer!

Decatur Road Closures:
West College Avenue from Park Place to East College Avenue and Commerce Drive
East Ponce de Leon Avenue from Commerce Drive to Clairemont Avenue
Clairemont Avenue from East/West Ponce de Leon Avenue to Commerce Drive

Decatur Lane Closures:
Commerce Drive from East College Avenue to East Ponce de Leon Avenue
Clairemont Avenue from Commerce Drive to North Decatur Road

Decatur’s Comprehensive Plan Update kicks off this week on Wednesday, March 16, with a close-up look at economic development, population growth, and transportation. As an Open House session, residents can pop in, review current data, ask questions, and provide input. Everyone is encouraged to attend and be heard.

Drop by the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street, any time between 7 and 9 p.m. Count on 20-30 minutes to participate.

Can’t make it? Don’t worry. Visit our outreach booth on Saturday, March 26, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. during the city’s Touch-a-Truck event for a second opportunity to review and comment.

Comprehensive Planning is required by state law to ensure a minimum level of standards and procedures. Because Decatur’s culture of planning far exceeds what is mandated by the state, we use the Comprehensive Plan process as an opportunity to do a mid-term check up of the strategic goals and accomplishments spelled out in our far more extensive Strategic Plan, which is scheduled to be updated in 2020. Using the latest data, we’ll explore what we’ve accomplished thus far, what’s left to be completed, and what might require an adjustment based on unanticipated circumstances.

April will mark the second round of input opportunities, as we examine affordable housing, historic places, land use, and natural resources. Stay tuned for specific announcements.

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 Catherine.lee@decaturga.com.

Tuesday, March 16
• Iberian Pig: Sweetwater takeover, featured beers are $5 each

Wednesday, March 16
• Decatur Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m.

Thursday, March 17
• Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
• Brick Store Pub live music, special beer tappings and an inspired menu, 4-11 p.m.
• LEONs will be serving up Irish Coffees along with a full Irish fry.

Saturday, March 19
• Decatur Easter Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Decatur
• Jewelry Trunk Show at Squash Blossom Boutique, 2-5 p.m.

On Tuesday, March 8, 2016 four of the five City of Decatur’s homestead tax exemption bills passed the Georgia House of Representatives.  With the previous adoption by the Georgia Senate on February 11, 2016, those four separate pieces of legislation will move forward for the Governor’s signature.  However, SB 343 that provided the most significant tax relief from school taxes to citizens 65 and older has been delayed to a later date upon a motion by Representative Beth Beskin of Fulton County.

Representative Mary Margaret Oliver who represents part of the City of Decatur challenged the motion arguing that Rep. Beskin’s efforts to punish Decatur’s older citizens based on Atlanta’s refusal to grant similar relief to seniors was pure partisan politics.  “I am hopeful we will be able to get over the partisan obstacle created solely by Representative Beskin. I believe the Republican leadership will ultimately be supportive of local control to support the success of the Decatur school system and good management,” said Rep. Oliver.  Rep. Beskin stated to Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett that her motion to table had nothing to do with Decatur or the legislation itself.

“The City of Decatur and the City Schools of Decatur appreciate all of the efforts of Decatur legislators who have worked hard to get these bills passed including Senator Elena Parent and Representatives Mary Margaret Oliver, Howard Mosby, Rahn Mayo and Karla Drenner,” said Mayor Garrett.  “Our delegation members understand the need for property tax relief, particularly for our seniors, and I hope the Republican leadership will also understand our position and consider the merits and value to the citizens of Decatur of the senior homestead tax exemptions.”  The homestead exemption legislation was supported by the Decatur City Commission and the Decatur Board of Education who were acting with the support of the residents of the City of Decatur, including members of the Lifelong Community Advisory Board, a very active group of senior homeowners and the business community.

“It is unsettling that legislation designed by Decatur’s elected officials for the benefit of Decatur’s senior citizens, that would have no impact on anyone other than Decatur residents, has been met with opposition,” said Board of Education Chair Annie Caiola, who added, “We encourage our residents to join us in voicing these sentiments to the Republican leadership. This also happened last year when Decatur’s proposed senior exemptions failed in the eleventh hour due to similar unprecedented maneuvers.  It is our sincere hope that CSD’s homestead exemption legislation will be quickly put back on track to pass.”

To voice your opinion about the City Schools of Decatur homestead exemption, please contact Rep. Beth Beskin (beth.beskin@house.ga.gov); Rep. Jan Tankersley (jan.tankersley@house.ga.gov);  Rep. Jon Burns (jon.burns@house.ga.gov); Rep. Matt Ramsey (matt.ramsey@house.ga.gov);  Speaker of the House David Ralston (david.ralston@house.ga.gov); and, copy Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (mmo@mmolaw.com).

Make sure they know that SB 343 would provide tax relief to senior property owners and that it is local legislation supported by the City Schools of Decatur, the Decatur City Commission and all of the members of the General Assembly that represent the City of Decatur

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 Catherine.lee@decaturga.com.

Wednesday, March 9
• Decatur Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m.

Saturday, March 12
• 5th Annual Jawbones vs. Sawbones Basketball Benefit at DHS, 5 p.m.
• Tour deCatur 2016