By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis gets his way, property taxes will be raised by 2.32 mills next year.

That's about $264 a year for the average home, which is valued at $200,000.

But county commissioners, who have the final say on the budget, are reluctant to approve any hike in taxes until they see the government reorganized.

On Wednesday, the CEO unveiled a $563.3 million proposed 2011 tax funds budget. That represents a .8 percent increase over the 2010 budget of $558.6 million. The spending plan, which doesn't include water, trash and 911 service, has $39 million in additional expenditures compared to the current budget.

"We must strike the necessary balance between fiscal prudence and delivering the necessary services to our people," Ellis said. "I am keenly aware that this is a difficult time to ask citizens to give more without making cuts in spending. But this year leaves us with little choice."....