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VOLUME 25 NUMBER 14
JULY 5, 2019 Stay connected
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DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond’s proposed mid-year budget offers property tax relief
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eKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s proposed fiscal year 2019 mid-year budget includes a balanced budget, millage rate rollback and property tax relief. County officials say the proposed millage rate rollback, combined with the Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax Credit (EHOST), means an average tax savings of $930 for a resident owning a home valued at $250,000. “DeKalb’s $1.2 billion fiscal year 2019 midyear budget prioritizes fiscal integrity and accountability,” said Thurmond. “The county is committed to delivering high-quality services while providing substantial
CEO Michael Thurmond
property tax reductions for the second consecutive year,” said Thurmond.
Thurmond is proposing to roll back the Combined Countywide Operational rate, which was 10.364 mills in fiscal year 2018 to 9.952 mills in fiscal year 2019, reducing the rate by 0.412 mills. The projected value of the millage rate rollback is $12 million, which will provide a property tax reduction of $41.20 on properties valued at $250,000. The benchmark millage rate for unincorporated DeKalb will remain at 20.81 mills. In addition to the millage rates rollback, DeKalb homeowners will also benefit from $119 million in property tax relief generated by the EHOST. The tax reduction is the result of the passage of two measures in November 2017:
GEORGIA’S NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT Help for medical THC oil, HOPE scholarships, protection from slumlords By Sarita Mason For On Common Ground News
differences between Hemp, THC and CBD products, which all link to this movement of the legalization of marijuana in the state,” said Dawkins-Haigler. Other key laws that legislators approved during the 2019 Legislative Session that took effect on July 1:
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eorgia has taken another step toward making medical marijuana available to registered patients who need it, but the new law regulating distribution may still force those suffering from severe seizures, deadly cancers and other chronic debilitating conditions to wait months to get the drug. Under HB 324, which took effect July 1, six private companies have been approved to grow and produce THC oil in Georgia, but the state oversight board has not yet been set up to license and regulate the dispensaries for in-state distribution. Former State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, who has championed the use of THC oil for patients for more than six years, said the new law still doesn’t go far enough. “We have only moved an inch with this new law because without an oversight board officially in place and lack of education on the process of growing, distributing, and accessibility of THC oil, we will not be able to move forward,” said DawkinsHaigler, who is founder of the Minority Cannabis Coalition (MCC), which helps African Americans become more educated on the marijuana industry.
Dee Dawkins-Haigler
In 2015, Georgia legalized medical marijuana, allowing patients to obtain up to 20 fluid ounces of cannabis oil but didn’t allow the growing, selling or possession of the oil, minimizing options for patients to access it. Many who were approved for the drug obtained it by driving out of state, by mail order and other resources. Although Georgia’s new law allows pharmacies to fill THC prescriptions, tight federal restrictions still remain concerning the drug, according to the Georgia Pharmacy Association. Dawkins-Haigler said because opponents are concerned that marijuana will become legal, the roadblocks for THC persists. “When you look at the totality of it all, it is really chaotic and we need to educate people on the importance of truly understanding what this process means for them—the
HB 218 Education; eligibility requirements to receive HOPE scholarship The law extends the amount of time a student can be eligible for the scholarship from seven to 10 years after graduating high school. HB 282 Criminal procedure; Sexual assault evidence The new legislation will require law enforcement to save evidence from sexual assault cases for up to 50 years. Stains, fluids and hair samples will be kept for 50 years, even if no arrest was made in the case. HB 346 Property; Tenant protection from slumlords Landlords who wrongfully try to evict tenants who complain of unhealthy conditions will face charges of $500, one month’s rent and legal costs. For more Georgia laws that took effect July 1, visit http://www.legis.ga.gov/en-US/ default.aspx Valerie J. Morgan contributed to this report.
EHOST and the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). DeKalb is the only county in Georgia with an EHOST, which is 100 percent dedicated to homeowner tax relief. In fiscal year 2019, the EHOST property tax relief measure will deliver an average tax cut of $889 to residents owning a home valued at $250,000. Combined, these two efforts will generate $131 million in property tax relief for DeKalb County property owners. A final vote on the budget proposal by the Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9.
DeKalb Sheriff’s Office arrests jailer for sexual assault on inmates
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n employee of the DeKalb County Jail has been charged with sexually assaulting inmates. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants on July 3 for 59-year-old Martin Moten of Loganville. A detention officer since 2004, Moten is charged Martin Moten with two counts of sexual assault against a person in custody and two counts of violation of oath of office. Two female inmates have accused Moten of having engaged in sexual contact with them between March and June of this year. “Officer Moten was placed on administrative leave when we were advised of the allegations by our Office of Professional Standards,” said Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann. “Based on review of those allegations, he has been terminated and arrested. We are handling this as a criminal incident.” “We have zero tolerance for any employee who engages in criminal behavior. Sexual assault against anyone is egregious, and it is especially disturbing when committed against individuals who trust us with their safety and security while in custody. The incidents for which he is accused are not representative of the character or culture of the dedicated officers who work in the DeKalb County Jail.” The sheriff’s Fugitive Unit located and arrested Moten without incident at his residence. He is being held without bond in the DeKalb County Jail.