Brookhaven homeowners could pay more in city property taxes under a proposal that would raise the municipal maintenance-and-operations millage rate for the first time since 2015.
The Brookhaven City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on increasing the rate from 2.74 mills to 3.85 mills, WSB-TV reported. That is a roughly 40.5% jump from the current rate. A state-required notice describes the proposal as a 47.12% increase over the rollback rate of 2.617 mills, the rate designed to keep revenue level after reassessments.
City officials estimate the change would add about $394.56 annually for a homesteaded property with a fair market value of $800,000. A non-homestead property valued at $1.575 million would pay about $764.46 more. The proposed rate would help fund Brookhaven’s $42.7 million general fund budget, which is $4.5 million, or 11.8%, larger than the adopted 2025 budget.
Brookhaven’s budget originally assumed a 3.54-mill rate. However, the city’s preliminary tax digest showed that rate would bring in about $408,000 less than projected. Staff recommended 3.85 mills partly because of uncertainty surrounding commercial property assessment appeals, according to the city’s millage presentation.
Residents interviewed by WSB-TV expressed divided views. One homeowner said higher costs could force her family to leave, while another said he could accept an increase if officials clearly explain how the money will be spent.
Georgia defines one mill as $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Property is generally assessed at 40% of fair market value before exemptions, meaning the 40% figure applies to Brookhaven’s city rate—not a homeowner’s entire property tax bill.
The city will hold public hearings at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Brookhaven City Centre, with the council expected to consider final adoption after the evening hearing.
