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COMMISSIONER'S CORNER The General Assembly met for a prolonged period this winter – extending into spring actually – and although noted legislation to create a city of Dunwoody died on the final day, other bills were adopted to bring more accountability to DeKalb County. For example, in recent years, local legislators have created authorities – government agencies that really are accountable to no one – with the purpose of building a county civic center or one centered on police and judicial facilities. But Rep. Mike Jacobs of Decatur, introduced an accountability measure that would not allow these authorities to raise taxes or sell bonds without a vote of the people. The legislation, which won bipartisan support, passed on the final day of the 40-day session in April. It was particularly necessary as there have been rumblings that CEO Vernon Jones might activate some of these other authorities on the books to build a civic center or get more money for police or judicial facilities outside the scope of the DeKalb budget. The DeKalb Commission currently sets the budget and unless there is a vote by the people for any other additional expenditure, there should be no independent authorities exercising such power. Jacobs’ legislation was a much-needed way to limit the power of authorities. During this 2007 session, some legislators introduced a bill to create a DeKalb County Public Facilities Authority, similar to an existing authority. It would have been able to issue revenue bonds payable with tolls, fees and other charges. Once again, Jacobs’ legislation now would require a vote of the people before any authority could attempt to raise revenue. Jacobs’ bill also requires any authority to rank bond projects to show which will get funded first binds the authority to the ranking if it does go to the voters for approval of any projects. This too puts more restrictions on these previously unregulated authorities. When it comes to solving some of the problems on the DeKalb Commission, however, Senate Bill 52, a proposal to allow the Commission to run its own meetings and set its own agenda only passed the Senate. It still awaits action in the House. A majority of the DeKalb Commission supports this concept because we do not believe the CEO should set our agenda or run our meetings. We are the legislative branch of government. The President doesn’t run Congress, and the CEO shouldn’t run DeKalb Commission. This proposal is an attempt to balance powers of the CEO form of government, a system found only in only one of Georgia’s 159 counties – DeKalb. Another proposal to require that all special elections for bond referendums or special tax votes be held during primaries, general elections, or another time of the year to draw more participation also did not pass this year. But it is starting to garner more support as issues like the recent renewal of the education sales tax in DeKalb were adopted with minimal voter turnout. Policymakers agree that when it comes to a vote on raising taxes, it should occur when the most people can participate. I recently participated in the Tucker Celebration Parade and what a great time was had by all. It is the efforts of the Tucker Civic Association that makes this possible. The Grand Marshall was the State Champions of basketball our Tucker High School Basketball Team. What a great Coach and what a fine group of talented boys! |
