Chakira's Corner: DeKalb County District 4 Updates

Last month Chief Appraiser Calvin Hicks explained how your home's value is set. This month host Matt Shedd sits down with Commissioner Chakira Johnson, presiding officer of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, and DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden to follow the bill the rest of the way: who collects it, where the money goes, and what to do if you cannot pay it all at once. Commissioner Golden walks through the redesigned tax bill, the September 30 and November 16 deadlines and the penalties that follow them, the 10 homestead exemptions and the mid-July deadline to apply, and the new tag renewal kiosks coming to Kroger and Publix stores across the county. You will also learn about the senior emissions waiver, the mobile tax office visits to all seven senior centers, and why both commissioners keep saying the same thing: go to the source.

0:00 Cold open: pay what you can 

1:00 Meet DeKalb Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden

4:20 What residents ask Commissioner Johnson about their taxes 

5:28 What the Tax Commissioner's office does and does not do

8:35 The redesigned tax bill and where your money goes 

11:38 Can't pay on time? Deadlines, penalties, and pay what you can 

14:05 Fixed incomes and the first millage increase in over a decade 

16:20 The 10 homestead exemptions and the mid-July deadline 

18:00 Senior exemptions: what to bring and what you could save 

22:20 Senior centers, HOA meetings, and the mobile tax office 

27:20 Tag renewal kiosks at Kroger and Publix 

29:00 The senior emissions waiver 

31:33 Go to the source, not your neighbor 

34:02 Newsletter, phone number, and how to reach th Commissioners 

Commissioner Johnson's Email: [email protected]

Commissioner Chakira Johnson on Social https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner's Office (monthly newsletter signup at the bottom of the page) https://dekalbtaxga.gov/ Phone: 404-298-4000

Homestead exemptions, DeKalb Tax Commissioner https://dekalbtaxga.gov/property-tax/exemptions/

Tag renewal kiosk locations https://dekalbtaxga.gov/locations/kiosk-locations/

Pay your DeKalb property taxes online https://govhub.com/tax/ga-dekalb

Tax Commissioner office locations https://dekalbtaxga.gov/locations/office-locations/

A lot of residents of DeKalb County are asking about the relationship of their property value to their property taxes. Host Matt Shedd sits down with Commissioner Chakira Johnson, presiding officer of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, and DeKalb Chief Appraiser Calvin Hicks to explain how your tax bill comes together. They discuss everything from the January 1st assessment to the county's millage rate increase to roughly half of every bill that funds the school system. You will learn which office actually controls each number, how homestead exemptions work and when to apply for next year, and what new development along Memorial Drive means for the taxes of people already living there.

0:00 Cold open: what your home's value is based on

2:35 How your assessed value becomes a tax bill

4:20 Values went down, so why did bills go up

7:20 Homestead exemptions and the 2027 deadline

10:30 Budgeting when the tax digest comes in lower

12:30 Does a higher appraisal mean a higher bill

14:55 Why most of your bill funds the school system

17:30 Why the increase hit unincorporated DeKalb only

20:30 Chief Appraiser Hicks on how values are set

24:15 January 1, appeals, and the 8 percent rule

26:15 Memorial Drive, development, and displacementCommissioner Johnson’s Email: [email protected]

Commissioner Chakira Johnson on Socialhttps://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

DeKalb County Property Appraisal Department: https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/property-appraisal

DeKalb County Board of Assessors: https://dekalbcountyga.gov/property-appraisal/board-assessors

Homestead exemptions, DeKalb Tax Commissionerhttps://dekalbtaxga.gov/property-tax/exemptions/

2026 tax bill mailing and due dateshttps://dekalbtaxga.gov/news/dekalb-county-tax-commissioners-office-set-to-mail-annual-property-tax-bills-aug-14/

DeKalb County 2026 millage rate public hearing presentation: https://dekalbcountyga.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/2026%20Millage%20Rates%20Public%20Hearing%20Presentation%202026.06.23%201.pdf

Georgia HB 581 floating homestead exemption explainer: https://www.ownwell.com/blog/georgia-hb-581-floating-homestead-exemption

Commissioner Chakira Johnson joins host Matt Shedd for a mid-year check-in on District 4 of DeKalb County, walking through progress on her five focus areas: housing, infrastructure, youth development, Memorial Drive revitalization, and community connections. You'll hear updates on the county's new housing initiative and its first day shelter for unhoused neighbors, the Mountain Drive sidewalks and Bermuda Road roundabout, and a new stormwater investment aimed at getting ahead of the flooding the region has seen this year. She also shares highlights from the “Full STEAM Ahead” youth cookout and explains how residents' voices, including a student's call for youth mental health support, are shaping her legislative priorities. Watch for the full rundown, and subscribe for ongoing updates from District 4.

Chapters

0:00 Commissioner Johnson's message to residents

0:50 The show and District 4's five focus areas3:00 Housing initiative and first day shelters

7:20 Home-repair help for longtime residents

8:50 Infrastructure: sidewalks, roundabout, sewers

11:30 Stormwater fee and flood prevention

16:10 Memorial Drive revitalization

23:40 Partnering with the county CEO

25:20 Youth development and "Full STEAM Ahead"

29:40 Community connections and staying in touch

33:20 Youth mental health as a priority

35:40 Closing takeaways and how to reach the office

Contact Us

Commissioner Chakira Johnson (official site) — District 4 news and events https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/

Email the District 4 office — [email protected]

Social:

Facebook / Instagram @CommissionerChakira

Bluesky / X @CommissionerCJJ

LinksCounty & DCTV video sources

DCTV — DeKalb County TV (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/user/DeKalbCountyGovDeKalb

Board of Commissioners meeting — June 23, 2026 — millage & stormwater fee public hearing referenced in the episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h3YhUP_37oDCTV

Channel 23 (department page) — broadcast schedule and live stream

https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/dctv

Programs & topics discussed (official pages)

Dr. Alan Ferguson, Chief Housing Officer — the county's first chief housing officer

https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/chief-executive-officer/dr-alan-ferguson-chief-housing-officerDeKalb

Comprehensive Housing Plan — the housing initiative and programs

https://engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga.gov/dcchp

Memorial Drive Revitalization — corridor study, rebranding, signagehttps://engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga.gov/memorial-drive

Consent Decree (Watershed Management) — https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/watershed-management/consent-decree-cd

Chakira's Cookout: Full STEAM Ahead — the annual youth STEAM event

https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/events/chakiras-cookout-full-steam-ahead

In this episode, Commissioner Chakira Johnson sits down with DeKalb County Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams to pull back the curtain on how the county actually operates day to day. You'll hear what the $4.27 billion water and sewer investment means for your neighborhood, why the permitting system is getting a long-overdue overhaul, and how DeKalb is preparing for the World Cup coming to Atlanta. From road paving to public safety to the new county website, this conversation connects the dots between big-picture policy and the services residents rely on every day.

0:00 - Welcome to Chakira's Corner

1:35 - Why Zach Williams came to DeKalb

3:50 - Commissioner Johnson joins the conversation6:40 - What a county COO actually does

8:50 - Running a $1.9 billion operation

12:50 - Getting DeKalb ready for the World Cup

16:30 - Permitting, dashboards, and the new website

24:10 - How DeKalb has evolved (and SPLOST)

29:30 - The people who keep the county running

34:00 - The $4.27 billion water and sewer plan

40:40 - Final takeaways and how to reach them

DeKalb CountyDeKalb County government https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov

311 Citizen Help Center (dial 311) — https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/residents/report-311

Board of Commissioners — https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/board-commissioners/board-commissionersCommission District 4 –

Chakira Johnson — https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/board-commissioners/commission-district-4-chakira-johnsonTopics in this episode

SPLOST (sales tax & projects) — https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/splost/splost

SPLOST project list — https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/splost/splost-projects

Building permits — https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning-and-sustainability/building-permitse

Plans / e-permitting portal — https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning-and-sustainability/eplansPermit

Tracker — https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/383d47460eff4f2eb0b56e076c185351

Watershed Management (water/sewer, Scott Candler plant, 10-year plan) — https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/watershed-management

Discover DeKalb (CVB / World Cup) — https://discoverdekalb.com

MARTA — https://www.itsmarta.com

Grady Health — https://www.gradyhealth.org

Reach Commissioner Chakira Johnson

Email — [email protected]

Bluesky / X — @CommissionerCJJ

All platforms — https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

On this episode of Chakira's Corner, host Matt Shedd sits down with DeKalb County Director of Code Compliance and Enforcement Tonza Clark and Commissioner Chakira Johnson for a deep look at how DeKalb is reimagining property and code enforcement. Director Clark walks through the new proactive approach: six-day-a-week operations, hotel-motel sweeps, the loitering enforcement partnership with DeKalb Police that has reached close to 100% compliance at convenience stores and gas stations, and the new blight tax that can charge non-compliant property owners ten times the regular tax rate. Commissioner Johnson shares District 4 wins, including two recent demolitions on Shepherd Road and West Mountain Street, and connects her Engineer Progress for DeKalb vision with CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson's Reimagine DeKalb initiative. Tune in for the full conversation, plus how to reach Code Compliance directly.

0:00 - Welcome & Meet Director Tonza Clark

4:31 - Scope of Code Compliance

6:08 - District 4 Constituent Complaints

7:22 - Proactive Approach: Six Days a Week

8:22 - Loitering Initiative & Police Partnership

12:37 - Safer Communities in District 4

14:01 - The Enforcement Process Walkthrough

16:25 - Vacant & Foreclosure Property Registry

21:02 - Demolitions & the In-Rem Process

26:59 - Party Houses & the Noise Ordinance

33:50 - Final Takeaways & the New Blight Tax

41:05 - How to Reach Code Compliance

Relevant Links and Contact Info:

-DeKalb County Code Compliance (File a Complaint) - https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/code-compliance/code-compliance

-Code Compliance Phone: 404-687-3700

-Code Compliance Email: [email protected]

-Commissioner Chakira Johnson, DeKalb District 4 - https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/government/board-of-commissioners/districts/chakira-johnson

-Commissioner Johnson's Official Website

https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com

All of Commissioner Johnson's Social Handles https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

Commissioner Johnson Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Chakira's Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson sits down with DeKalb County's new Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, Christopher Bass, for a wide-ranging conversation about everything the department has to offer beyond green space. From summer camps and aquatic programming at the newly reopening N.H. Scott Pool, to the push for a historic designation for Hamilton Recreation Center and a brand-new DeKalb Arts Council, the conversation covers the full picture of what parks and recreation means for DeKalb County. Director Bass also shares his early priorities for the department, including CAPRA reaccreditation, major SPLOST-funded facility projects, and building a culture of care across his team. If you're a DeKalb resident looking to get more out of your community this summer, this episode is packed with things you need to know.Chapters

0:00 - Introduction and Welcome

1:43 - Director Bass's Path to Parks and Recreation

4:16 - What Makes DeKalb County Special

5:38 - Commissioner Johnson on District Four Parks

7:28 - Parks as More Than Green Space: The Department's Full Mission

9:19 - Hamilton Recreation Center and Its Historic Legacy

13:09 - Director Bass's Priorities: CAPRA, SPLOST, and Culture of Care

15:53 - Upcoming Projects: Cedar Park, Wason Light, and N.H. Scott Pool

16:58 - Swimming Lessons and Aquatic Programming Plans

20:15 - Youth Development and Summer Programming

23:59 - Cultural Affairs: The Arts Council and New Direction

27:49 - Equity, Access, and ADA-Compliant Trails

33:49 - Practical Takeaways: How to Use DeKalb's 109-Plus Parks

Relevant Links

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/recreation-parks-and-cultural-affairs

DeKalb County Parks and Facilities (parks list, pools, hours) https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/recreation-parks-and-cultural-affairs/parks-and-facilities

CAPRA: Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies https://www.nrpa.org/certification/accreditation/CAPRA/

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) https://www.nrpa.org/

DeKalb County SPLOST Program https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/splost

Contact Commissioner Chakira Johnson [email protected]

Commissioner Johnson’s Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

DeKalb County Parks Department contact https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/recreation-parks-and-cultural-affairs

In this episode of Chakira's Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson sits down with DeKalb County Public Library Director Alison Weissinger to pull back the curtain on everything the county's 23-branch library system actually offers — from early childhood programs like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten to free Wi-Fi hotspot loans, LinkedIn Learning, Mango Languages, and no-cost digital access to the New York Times. They talk about how individual branches respond to their specific communities, what the county is doing to ease pressure on libraries from unhoused residents, and why current federal threats to library funding should matter to every DeKalb resident. If you have a library card and aren't using these resources yet, this episode will change that. And if you don't have one, you'll want one by the time it's over.

• 0:00 Intro

• 1:21 Director Weissinger's Path to the Library

• 2:54 30 Years of Change at DeKalb Libraries

• 4:13 Why Libraries Matter for District 4

• 6:12 Beyond Books: Programs and Community Resources

• 8:08 A Thousand Books Before Kindergarten

• 12:12 Summer Reading and Fighting the Summer Slide

• 13:33 Free Online Resources with Your Library Card

• 19:17 Hotspots, Chromebooks, and Digital Access

• 25:35 Threats to Libraries and How to Help

• 29:14 Supporting Libraries Through Advocacy and Donations

• 31:11 The Library Foundation and Friends Groups

• 36:16 Stay Connected with the Library and Commissioner Johnson

Links:

DeKalb County Public Library 

DeKalbLibrary.org

DeKalb Library Resources for Young Children

dekalblibrary.org/read-and-grow

A Thousand Books Before Kindergarten 

dekalblibrary.org/read-and-grow/1000-books

Computers and Technology 

dekalblibrary.org/using-the-library/computers

Friends of the Library 

dekalblibrary.org/support-us/friends-of-the-library

Library Newsletters 

dekalblibrary.org/newsletters

Library Events Calendar 

events.dekalblibrary.org/events

Email Commissioner Johnson 

[email protected]

Commissioner Johnson, All Links 

linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

DeKalb County’s new Director of Public Safety, Darnell Fullum, joins Commissioner Chakira Johnson to discuss what residents are experiencing around public safety. They cover EMS response improvements, the Real Time Crime Center, and how the county is strengthening coordination across agencies. The conversation also highlights less-visible departments like 911, Emergency Management, Animal Services, and the Medical Examiner’s Office. Commissioner Johnson shares how budget priorities connect to retention, stability, and safety.00:00:24 Welcome to Chakira’s Corner and today’s focus00:00:45 District 4 priorities and Commissioner Johnson’s committee roles00:01:08 Introducing Director Darnell Fullum and the episode format00:01:42 Start date and early priorities in the new role00:02:36 Fullum’s early life in Pittsburgh and path into public service00:03:29 Army service and moving to Atlanta to join the fire department00:05:17 Top public safety concerns from constituents: EMS response and crime00:06:47 EMS contract changes and how performance is being improved00:08:45 Real Time Crime Center and why technology matters00:09:42 What Public Safety oversees: Fire, Police, 911, Animal, ME, DEMA00:10:32 Ride-alongs, breaking silos, and building cross-department synergy00:19:12 DEMA, warming centers, and preparing residents for severe weather00:23:13 Code Red transitioning to Rave and reducing alert fatigue00:25:46 Department wins: recognition, staffing progress, SPLOST, accreditation00:30:11 Closing takeaways and how to contact Commissioner Johnson

DeKalb County's first Chief Housing Officer, Dr. Alan Ferguson, joins Commissioner Chakira Johnson to talk about housing challenges and solutions in DeKalb County. They discuss rising rents, homelessness, and housing diversity. The conversation also details where residents should turn if they are worried about paying rent or staying housed. Learn how to plug into the zoning rewrite, the countywide housing strategy, and other opportunities to help shape DeKalb's housing future.

Chapters

00:00 Intro and Commissioner Johnson's roles

01:33 Introducing Chief Housing Officer Dr. Alan Ferguson

02:26 Growing up in South DeKalb and choosing public service

05:22 Why DeKalb created a Chief Housing Officer role

07:24 What the Chief Housing Officer does and does not handle

12:18 Common misconceptions about county government and housing

18:06 If you miss a paycheck, where to call and how to get help

23:00 Development without displacement and neighborhood stability

27:10 Preserving neighborhood character and the zoning rewrite

33:05 Early wins: housing strategy, Affordable Housing Fund, Park 500, NACA

39:06 Key takeaways on housing priorities in DeKalb

41:25 Commissioner Johnson's new role as Presiding Officer44:46 How to contact Commissioner Johnson and stay connected

Links

DeKalb Housing and Chief Housing Officer info:https://bit.ly/DeKalbDrFerguson

DeKalb Zoning Rewrite information:https://bit.ly/ZoningDeKalb

United Way of Greater Atlanta (including 211):https://unitedwayatlanta.org/

ARCHI Collaborative:https://www.archicollaborative.org/

DeKalb Resource Guide:https://bit.ly/DeKalbResourceGuide

Commissioner Chakira Johnson Linktree:https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson looks back on the biggest lessons from 2025 and shares what’s ahead in 2026. Topics covered include housing and homelessness, water infrastructure and the consent decree, Memorial Drive revitalization, youth development, and services for New Americans.

She also previews Resources Day on April 18, 2026 (in tandem with the Community Connection Breakfast), explains how residents can reach her team, and encourages District 4 constituents to consider serving on county advisory boards and commissions.

00:23 – Intro: committees + District 4 focus areas

01:39 – Why Commissioner Johnson ran for office

03:02 – One year in: reflections from 2025

04:43 – Priorities: housing/homelessness + water infrastructure

07:38 – How to contact the Commissioner

10:23 – Resources Day + Community Connection Breakfast (Apr 18, 2026)

14:34 – Community Connection Breakfasts + Jan 31, 2026 preview

19:10 – “Chakira’s Cookout” back-to-school event recap

21:21 – Boards & commissions: what they are + how to serve

29:00 – District projects: Park 500 + Memorial Drive (4380)

30:18 – Memorial Drive next steps: safety, transit, CID/BID

33:00 – Youth development + services for New Americans

35:30 – 10,000-foot view: 2025 to 2026 + closing

RELEVANT DATES

Saturday, January 31, 2026 — Community Connection Breakfast (Q1 2026) — 9:00 AM

Location: East Central DeKalb Senior Center & Community Center 

Saturday, April 18, 2026 — Resources Day + Community Connection Breakfast (combined)

Location: DeKalb Conference Center @ Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Clarkston)

Summer 2026: Chakira’s Cookout: back-to-school event

Typically the last weekend in June (exact date TBD)

Open advisory board positions:

• Open Positions: Community Council,

• PDK Airport Advisory,

• Watershed Customer Service & Billing

bit.ly/DeKalbBoardsAndCommissions

Data Center Text Amendment (on Engage DeKalb’s site)

bit.ly/DCGADataCenterTextAmendment 

Commissioner Chakira Johnson (District 4)

• Website: https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/

• Contact form: https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/contact

• District 4 (official county page): https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/board-commissioners/district-4

• X (Twitter) referenced: https://x.com/CommissionerCJJ