Elected officials from across DeKalb County and its cities are coming together around referendums to raise sales taxes and reduce property taxes.

DeKalb CEO Mike Thurmond and several mayors said during a press conference Wednesday that the ballot measures would create the county's first special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST), raising the sales tax rate to 8 percent.

It would fund road repaving, new fire stations, more police cars and other infrastructure.

Mayors joined Thurmond, saying they’re united in the goal of improving public facilities.

Voters will decide on the SPLOST and a property tax relief measure on Election Day on Nov. 7. Early voting began Monday.

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