 |
|
Elaine on DeKalb Issues* On Taxes: Commissioner Boyer believes in giving DeKalb homeowners 100 percent of HOST funds collected annually as promised when the 1 percent HOST was put up for a referendum almost a decade ago. She opposes property tax increases and believes there are ways to fund needs in the county budget through efficient management. * On Infill Housing: Commissioner Boyer believes in property rights and a free market system. That's why she opposed a countywide solution to the infill housing problem. Instead she supports the overlay district concept, giving local communities the opportunity to obtain local zoning for their neighborhoods to control height and size of infill projects. * On Workforce Housing: Commissioner Boyer again disagrees with efforts to mandate that a certain number of units be set aside for so-called affordable housing. She believes the free market should dictate how a project is developed. Property owners have a right to determine if they want to build all expensive homes or inexpensive homes without government determining the price. * On the CEO Form of Government: Commissioner Boyer would like to see a review of the CEO form of government, particularly since DeKalb is the only county in the state with such a form of government that gives so much power to one person. She believes the legislative and executive branches should have more balanced power. All ordinances can be reviewed at: http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=10637&sid=10 CURRENT ISSUESOn December 18, 2007 the BOC approved an Ordinance amending Chapter 17 of the Code of DeKalb County regulating the use of outdoor advertising spotlights. This amendment will help maintain and complement the County’s night time character, reduce light pollution, minimize the negative effects of sky glow caused by improper lighting and eliminate unnecessary nuisance lighting. In addition, this amendment will increase the safety of motor vehicles and aircraft that travel through and over DeKalb County. The Ordinance can be viewed on the DeKalb County website at http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/boc, click on agenda. On December 18, 2007 the BOC approved an Ordinance accepting and appropriating a Flood Mitigation Assistance program award from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA), into a new Stormwater CIP account, for the purchase of five (5) flood prone homes in District one. The addresses are as follows: 2746 Dunnington Circle, Atlanta, GA 30341-5606 3227 Wake Robin Trail, Chamblee, GA 30341-5721 3213 Barkside Court, Chamblee, GA 30341-4203 3197 Barkside Court, Atlanta, GA 30341-4201 3208 Windsor Forest Road, Chamblee, GA 30341-4215 On January 8, 2008, the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to create a rebate program to encourage replacement of inefficient toilets with water conserving toilets. Available to owners of individually metered residential dwellings, the program will provide a $100 rebate to customers who purchase and install a High Efficiency Toilet that has received EPA WaterSense labeling (1.28 gallons per flush) and a $50 rebate to customers who install a low flow toilet with a capacity of 1.6 gallons per flush. Details will be available on the Department of Watershed Management website (www.dekalbwatershed.com) on Monday, January 14.
|
|
Commissioner Elaine Boyer © |