DeKalb residents can tell CEO Burrell Ellis what they think about his proposed 2010 budget and the tax increase he wants to help fund it.

Ellis’ neighborhood budget meeting will be at the Tucker Recreation Center, 4898 LaVista Road, on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.

On Feb. 4, the meeting will be at Cedar Grove High School, 2360 River Road in Ellenwood, and on Feb. 9, it will be at Stephenson Middle School, 922 Stephenson Road in Stone Mountain.

Ellis’ proposed $582.7 million budget, which is now before the DeKalb Board of Commissioners, calls for a 1.86 millage rate that would add about $145 to the annual tax bill of a $200,000 house. It also calls for the elimination of 760 positions and $375,000 for customer service training.

Because of declining revenues, the 2010 budget has to be $50 million less than the 2009 budget.

Commissioners must approve a balanced budget by March 1.