Brookhaven Feasibility Study Released

Residents living in the proposed City of Brookhaven could end up paying lower taxes or using an estimated $3.4 million surplus for additional services, according to the feasibility study released Monday by the Citizens for North DeKalb.

Georgia State University's Carl Vinson institute concluded that based on the study area's property taxes and insurance fees, cable, electric and gas franchise taxes, law enforcement confiscated monies, parking fees, fines and beverage taxes, the new city would yield approximately $28.5 million in revenue. Conversely, the expenses of running the city, including salaries for the city council, city manager, clerk, police, parks operations, and facilities management would cost the city approximately $25 million. This number, according to the study, includes annual operating expenses, start-up costs and capital expenditures.

Citizens for North DeKalb released yesterday the study conducted by the Carl Vinson institute. The study is a necessary step in moving closer to establishing Brookhaven as its own city.

"I am encouraged by this report.  Based on current tax revenues and estimated expenditures, a city of Brookhaven would realize a budget surplus," said Citizens for North DeKalb spokesman Stan Segal in a written statement. "The feasibility study already reflects a higher level of service than DeKalb County currently provides.  The surplus could be used to finance a property tax reduction or a level of service beyond that contemplated in the study, or both."

The study area defines as its boundaries a 12.02 square-mile tract with a population of 49,188. It includes Fulton County to the west, Dunwoody to the North, Chamblee to the east and a portion of I-85 to the south. The median income of $56,231 with a 12 percent poverty rate, compared to all of unincorporated DeKalb County whose median income is 51,457 with a poverty rate of 14.5 percent.

Rep. Mike Jacobs, who is responsible for introducing the legislation to form a City of Brookhaven has scheduled two meetings to discuss the findings on Nov. 15 at and Nov. 17 at . Both meetings start at 7 p.m. The citizens group also plans to hold smaller informational meetings throughout the community.

Read more coverage on Brookhaven's proposed incorporation plans on our dedicated page.