Chakira's Corner: DeKalb County District 4 Updates

Commissioner Chakira Johnson
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Monthly

A podcast where DeKalb County, Georgia, District 4's Commissioner Chakira Johnson discusses Board of Commissioners meeting outcomes and community news with District 4's Communications Specialist, Carrie.

  1. 6d ago

    Property Taxes in DeKalb: Deadlines, Homestead Exemptions, and Where Your Bill Goes | Chakira’s Corner

    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: chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov 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/

  2. Sep 1

    Property Taxes in DeKalb: Who Sets Your Value and Who Sets Your Rate

    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: chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov 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

  3. Aug 3

    Housing, Infrastructure & Memorial Drive: DeKalb District 4 Mid-Year Review | Chakira's Corner

    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 — Chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov 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

  4. Jul 6

    From Potholes to a $4.27B Water Plan: How DeKalb County Gets Things Done

    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 — chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov Bluesky / X — @CommissionerCJJ All platforms — https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

  5. Jun 1

    Enforcing Loitering, Demolition, and Blight Tax with DeKalb Code Compliance | Chakira’s Corner

    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: codeenforce@dekalbcountyga.gov -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: chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov

  6. May 4

    Summer Camps, Pools, and the Arts: DeKalb's Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs | Chakira’s Corner

    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 chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov Commissioner Johnson’s Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson DeKalb County Parks Department contact https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/recreation-parks-and-cultural-affairs

  7. Apr 6

    How the DeKalb Library System Provides Literacy, Digital Access, and Community | Chakira’s Corner

    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  chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov Commissioner Johnson, All Links  linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

    How the DeKalb Library System Provides Literacy, Digital Access, and Community | Chakira’s Corner

  8. Mar 10

    DeKalb Public Safety Update: EMS Response, Crime Center, Text Alerts, and More | Chakira's Corner

    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 Public Safety Update: EMS Response, Crime Center, Text Alerts, and More | Chakira's Corner
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A podcast where DeKalb County, Georgia, District 4's Commissioner Chakira Johnson discusses Board of Commissioners meeting outcomes and community news with District 4's Communications Specialist, Carrie.

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