High court: DeKalb voters must approve arts center bonds (Sembler, too?)
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled Monday that DeKalb County’s development authority needs voter approval to sell bonds to pay off debt on a new performing arts center. But the impact of the decision could be much broader, requiring a public referendum for virtually any bond issue, including a controversial proposal to help the Sembler Co. complete its Town of Brookhaven mixed-use project with tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks.
DK Development Authority: Walker resigns, ‘stimulus’ draft released
Gene Walker has resigned as chairman of the DeKalb County Development Authority, two months after an uproar over his dual role as a member of the authority and the DeKalb Board of Education. Walker stepped down just days after the authority released a draft of guidelines for issuing property tax breaks as incentives for new development in DeKalb. The guidelines give the DeKalb County Commission a seat at the table, but make no mention of the Board of Education.
Sembler tax break would cost DeKalb $19M in property taxes
DeKalb County government and schools would realize a net loss of $19 million in property taxes if the county grants a 20-year tax break for a Brookhaven project, a review of the developer’s request shows. The developer, The Sembler Co., says its completed residential and shopping complex would generate taxes and fees that would far […]
