Okay, maybe there are a few other things.
But first:
Courtesy of Southern Custard
No need to preheat for these babies. Southern Custard in north Brookhaven is selling pumpkin custard pies this Thanksgiving. Pies have a Graham cracker crust, pumpkin spice frozen custard, vanilla scoops on top and can be made with pecans, chocolate flake, cinnamon streusel, fudge or other toppings. Pies must be pre-ordered by Nov. 18 and can be picked up anytime before or on Nov. 26. Call them at 404-402-1570 or stop by to place your order.
Where to get Thanksgiving meals in Brookhaven
Dixie Q offers a three-course Thanksgiving feast to-go with turkey breast, whole fried turkey or a whole brisket. Order deadline is Nov 23.
Henri's Bakery has Thanksgiving shortbread cookies and petit fours, turkey cakes, pecan and pumpkin pies and more available for pre-order. Order online by Nov. 23 at 8 p.m.
HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern at Town Brookhaven is accepting Thanksgiving to-go orders until 2 p.m. on Nov. 23. If you’d rather dine out, they’ll serve a three-course traditional Thanksgiving lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations and walk-ins are welcome.
Petite Violette will serve a four-course Thanksgiving Day menu for lunch and dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
NEWS
City tax rate increase update
As we reported last week, Brookhaven’s City Council is considering eliminating a tax rate cap written into the city’s charter and instead allowing the council to increase local property tax rates above the cap without a public citywide vote.
Brookhaven’s city charter limits property taxes for general operations to 3.35 per $1,000 of assessed value unless put to a citywide vote.
Under the proposed 2026 budget, the city’s tax rate would increase from 2.74 per $1,000 of assessed value to 3.54. That would mean an increase of $240 a year for the average home with a value of $775,000. (As a reminder, most of your local tax bill goes to DeKalb County Schools. Brookhaven city taxes are about 7% of the average homeowner’s tax bill.)
Some Brookhaven residents, including former mayor J. Max Davis, are opposed to allowing the council to remove the tax rate cap without a public vote.
“If the citizens are happy with [city] services and want to maintain the services at the level they are, just let them vote the way the charter says,” Davis told the council last week. “Let the people decide.”
What’s next?
The city council will vote on removing the tax rate cap (and on the 2026 Budget) at their next meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The tax rate will be set in the spring.
Wait. There’s more.
The council will also consider on Nov. 18 allowing voters to weigh in on increasing the homestead exemption for seniors and disabled persons. A proposal on next week’s council agenda calls for asking state legislators to allow a local referendum on raising that homestead exemption from $160,000 to $200,000.
Mayor John Park said the decision to try to increase the senior exemption “followed our commitment to protect our seniors from tax increases” and was something the city also did in 2019.
And a correction
In last week’s edition, we mischaracterized a previous effort to change the city’s homestead exemption freeze. The previous effort would have limited it. It would not have eliminated it. Also, we inadvertently left out words from Mayor John Park’s comments. The full quote was “We try to follow the will of the people.”
More Brookhaven News
DeKalb County Schools extends redistricting timeline - A redistricting advisory committee is leaning towards expanding Ashford Park Elementary to ease overcrowding instead of redistricting it. (Decaturish)
Construction on Brookhaven’s largest mixed use development is scheduled to start next summer - The 30-acre development, called Northbend, will be at the current Corporate Square site. (Urbanize Atlanta)
Incumbent councilmembers John Funny, Jen Owens win reelection. Both ran unopposed. (Rough Draft)
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EVENTS
Pickle Fest, Photos with Santa and More
🥒 Pickle Fest
Saturday, Nov. 15
Nuts 'n Berries, 4274 Peachtree Road NE
Block party featuring pickle tastings, pickle-making, live music and “the crunchiest community vibes” in Brookhaven. Twenty percent off the entire store all day with surprise doorbusters from 4-7 p.m.
🎅 Photos with Santa
Saturday, Nov. 22 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
2980 Redding Road. NE
Featuring professional photos with Santa and his elves, live music from Mister John's Music and a raffle for one free session of early childhood music classes. Presented by The Debbie Leonard Group. Spots are limited, reserve yours early.
🚴 Ride-Along Rodeo
Sunday, Nov. 16 | 2 p.m.
Blackburn Park
The Brookhaven Bike Alliance is teaming up with the Brookhaven Police Department for an afternoon of bike safety courses, skills stations and a guided ride through Blackburn Park. Free, family-friendly event.
Want to see your event featured? Email [email protected]
