The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to approve CEO Michael Thurmond’s FY2022 budget which includes a 6.25 percent increase in compensation for eligible sworn public safety personnel, making the pandemic front-line pay permanent for these employees.

“I would like to thank the commissioners who voted to support this critical budget which prioritizes public safety,” CEO Thurmond said.

The budget includes $14.1 million to improve retention, recruitment and training for police, fire, and other public safety personnel.

In addition to increasing the size of DeKalb Police department by 100 officers, the FY22 budget includes:

• $3,000 retention bonus
• Increased starting salaries
• $5000 hiring bonus for P.O.S.T. certified officers
•  Increased 401(a) match

The budget also includes a four percent cost-of-living adjustment for non-sworn county employees to help mitigate the effects of inflation. County retirees will receive a two percent cost-of-living adjustment.

The FY22 budget will maintain the benchmark millage rate for unincorporated DeKalb at 20.810 mills and remain structurally balanced, protecting the county’s $128 million rainy-day fund.

For the second year in a row, DeKalb homeowners will also receive 100 percent property tax relief on taxes levied countywide due to the proceeds of the Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) credit.