Brookhaven moves forward with its first property tax increase in years, and residents are taking notice

Brookhaven approves new tax rate

The Brookhaven City Council approved its first general millage rate increase since 2015, moving the municipal operations levy from 2.74 mills to 3.85 mills for 2026 after formal hearings.

Compared with the 2025 rate, the adopted levy rose by roughly 40%, making property taxes a central part of Brookhaven’s budget talks after resident input and final adoption.

Crowds fill the hearing room

The June 23 vote followed three public hearings, including morning and evening sessions that gave residents formal chances to address the Brookhaven City Council before adoption that day.

A large crowd filled council chambers, while additional residents watched from an overflow area at Brookhaven City Centre during the final evening session before council action that night.

Revenue needs drive action

City leaders tied the increase to rising costs and added revenue needs, saying the higher levy would bring millions for operations, 911 costs, maintenance, and other contracted-service expenses.

Mayor Pro Tempore John J. Funny connected the vote to maintaining services and infrastructure, saying Brookhaven needed revenue without deeper reductions while protecting basic municipal functions in 2026.

The rollback rate shaped notices

Georgia tax rules required Brookhaven to compare 3.85 mills with the 2.617 rollback millage rate, rather than only the prior city levy, in prepared public notices for residents.

That calculation made the public notice show a 1.233-mill increase above rollback, while residents also compared the change with the old 2.74 mills from 2025 during formal hearings.

Homeowners face higher bills

The city estimated a homesteaded property with a $800,000 fair market value would pay about $394.56 more under the adopted 2026 millage rate for municipal operations that year.

That estimate gave residents a household-level example, though actual bills depend on assessed values, exemptions, and separate taxes from other local agencies on the same property bill each year.

Other properties differ

Brookhaven estimated that a non-homestead property with a $1.575 million fair market value would pay about $764.46 more than the rollback rate calculation under the 2026 city rate for municipal operations.

That example showed why properties without homestead exemptions may see different increases from primary residences, because assessment treatment and taxable status vary under Georgia tax rules across parcels.

Fun fact: Brookhaven was incorporated in 2012 in DeKalb County, Georgia, immediately northeast of Atlanta, and has nearly 60,000 residents.

City taxes form one share

City leaders described Brookhaven’s share as about 7% to 8% of the average homeowner’s total property tax bill, leaving most charges outside direct municipal control after council adoption.

The remaining bill share generally goes to DeKalb County and DeKalb County School District, so Brookhaven’s increase affects one part of homeowner and business payments during tax billing.

Little-known fact: Land and building property taxes remain the oldest major tax and the largest revenue source for the states and local governments.

Public safety entered the debate

Brookhaven officials linked the higher rate to service costs, including police operations and 911 expenses, as they reviewed budget pressure during 2026 funding choices and annual operating needs.

Leaders compared resident bills with police operations, 911 expenses, and basic municipal services, keeping public-safety costs within the broader annual budget discussion as the council weighed the rate.

Infrastructure costs added pressure

City officials also pointed to infrastructure maintenance as a reason for the increase, connecting the rate decision to streets, facilities, and long-term upkeep across municipal assets and systems.

City leaders presented the higher rate as an alternative to service reductions, saying added revenue would support routine operations and maintenance needs during the 2026 budget work for city services.

Residents object to the increase

Several residents opposed the proposal during hearings, arguing that household budgets were already under pressure and that the city should reduce costs before raising taxes for municipal services.

Their comments showed clear resident opposition beyond technical budget details, as speakers questioned spending choices, household impacts, and the size of the increase during formal sessions that month.

Strategy questions remain visible

Some residents questioned Brookhaven’s long-term plan, asking whether the city had enough spending controls to avoid similar budget pressure in later cycles after the June 23 council action.

Those questions moved attention from the 2026 rate to future planning, since residents wanted clearer answers on spending controls and recurring cost growth after public hearings that month.

Other rates were adopted too

Brookhaven also adopted the General Fund Bond Millage Rate, Special Service District Millage Rate, Special Tax District Millage Rate, Stormwater Fund Assessment Rate, and Street Light District Assessment Rate.

Those votes showed the property tax decision sat inside a wider finance agenda, not a single isolated action on the council calendar for residents reviewing city budget records.

Want to keep up with the latest news? Check out how the Des Moines fire truck lawsuit turned equipment costs into an antitrust story.

Next bills carry the impact

The adopted millage rate moves into 2026 tax billing, making the council decision visible when property owners review the city portion of their bills during later payment cycles.

Residents can follow future budget discussions through public meetings, where city leaders explain spending choices before another annual rate-setting decision moves through the municipal process for public review.

Want to keep track of the latest happenings? Check out how Kansas corporate income tax revenue is lagging while individual tax collections are rising.

What stands out more in Brookhaven, the first property tax increase in years, or the growing concerns among the residents? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Read More From This Brand:

• South Carolina affordability debate puts housing tax credits back in focus
• New Mexico road projects move ahead after the state secures $1.5 billion in bonding authority
• World Cup drone risks put host-state security planning under a new spotlight