Politics & Government

Tax Assessments Still To Be Sorted Out

Dunwoody area homes have not been hit by mistaken appraisals based on current information. County commissioner's chief of staff advises residents about what to do if there appraisal has spiked.

Sales tax notices went out in the last several weeks ago across DeKalb, and the noise surrounding it hasn't died down since.

DeKalb County officials admit to overvaluing as many as 4,000 homes and have begun reassessments. Up to 1,500 homes near Decatur are a part of that group.

In Dunwoody, there have been no apparent patterns yet, Bob Lundsten, chief of staff for District 1 commissioner Elaine Boyer, wrote in a recent blog post on "Dunwoody Farmer Bob."

Lundsten advises that the county tax commissioner is currently compiling a list of properties homeowners believe to be improperly appraised. Lundsten says that Boyer's office is attempting to determine any patterns of mistaken appraisals in Dunwoody.

"To be clear, this does not mean that there is any evidence to indicate any mass errors, but we are checking," he writes.

Here is a portion of his blog post advising residents:

(I)f your appraisal has increased your school tax bill will raise your overall tax bill considerably.  While Dunwoody has renewed its current tax rate of 2.74 mills, the Board of Education is planning on raising their rate by 1 mill.  Bottom line, if your appraised value went up, it will cost you more.

Seldom do I use this blog to talk about my County job, but this is an exception.

First: the Commissioner's office is compiling a list of any properties that the homeowner feels has been improperly appraised.  We are trying to see if there is are any patterns in our district.  I made this known to all City officials and the DHA last week in the event they get any calls.

To be clear,  this does not mean that there is any evidence to indicate any mass errors, but we are checking. All of the information we receive by the end of this week will be charted and then submitted to the Chief Appraiser.

Second: APPEAL!, Now!  Right NOW!


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