GA HB644

Incorporates the City of Greenhaven in DeKalb County, Georgia, with a mayor-council form of government consisting of a mayor (chief executive), a seven-member city council (six district representatives plus an at-large council president), and an appointed chief operating officer requiring a graduate degree and 10 years of administrative experience.

Establishes six Community Area Planning Units (CAPUs) aligned with council districts, each with elected boards of 5-19 members serving two-year terms, empowered to make recommendations on zoning, land use, planning, and quality-of-life issues to the mayor and city council.

Sets annual salaries at $12,000 for councilmembers, $16,000 for the council president, and $16,000 for the mayor, with four-year terms and a two-consecutive-term limit; requires a referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2018 for voter approval, followed by a special election on the third Tuesday in March 2019.

Provides multiple homestead exemptions effective January 1, 2019, including a general $10,000 exemption, a $14,000 exemption for seniors (65+) and disabled residents with household income under $15,000, a homestead value freeze based on base-year assessed value, a one-mill equivalent exemption, and an exemption of up to $50,000 for unremarried surviving spouses of military members killed in action.

Establishes a two-year transition period beginning July 1, 2019, during which DeKalb County continues providing services at 2018 levels and costs until the city assumes responsibility with 30 days' written notice; sets the city's DeKalb County special services tax district rate at 0% and limits millage rate increases beyond 1.5 mills to voter referendum approval.