- View the complete study on Citizens for North DeKalb website
http://www.citizensfornorthdekalb.org/documents/FinalExecSummaryRptv1.pdf
- Read the November 7, 2011 AJC article
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/study-concludes-brookhaven-would-1219746.html
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Brookhaven Cityhood Study
The Carl Vinson Institute for Government completed the study of the feasibility of a city of Brookhaven. The report indicates that the city is viable, and would not need to increase taxes for residents of the area.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Brookhaven Group Trims Potential City Boundaries
From the Dunwoody Crier
By Rebecca Chase Williams
On the road to a possible vote on a new city of Brookhaven, a study group has modified the city’s proposed boundaries and a DeKalb County commissioner has called for a moratorium on the incorporation of new cities.
The Citizens for North Brookhaven (C4ND), the non-profit group that has commissioned a feasibility study of a new city, announced that it has removed the commercial area of Century Center from the proposed city’s boundaries. The group explained in a press release that, after listening to the concerns of residents in the neighborhoods adjacent to Century Center, the Board of C4ND decided to make the change to better preserve the ability of those residents to explore their own municipal options in the future.
State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-north DeKalb) further explained that when the city of Dunwoody was being formed, he worked with the state Sen. Dan Weber and (then) state Rep. Fran Millar to exclude Perimeter Summit, just south of I-285, from the city of Dunwoody. He argued that the commercial area would be important to the adjacent citizens if those neighborhoods were to ever incorporate. In an email to constituents, Jacobs explained that Century Center is to the adjacent neighborhoods what Perimeter Summit is to the Murphey Candler/ Nancy Creek neighborhoods.
After listening to the affected neighborhoods, C4ND made a decision in the interests of fairness and equity to exclude it from the Brookhaven study area, wrote Jacobs.
The feasibility study being conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of the University of Georgia is expected to be completed by the beginning of November.
“We are eager to receive the report from the Carl Vinson Institute so that we can review it and release it to the community. That has been our mission from the beginning and we are pleased to see our goal within reach,” said Doug Dykhuizen, president of Citizens for North DeKalb.
In another development, DeKalb County commissioner Jeff Rader plans to ask the county commission this week for a moratorium on new cities in DeKalb County. Rader’s resolution calls on the General Assembly to form a study commission to address a method for determining reasonable boundaries, taking into account the fiscal capacity of the annexing/newly incorporating areas and the remaining unincorporated area to provide basic public services.
In an interview with The Crier, Commissioner Rader said he is not against the incorporation of new cities, but is worried that the unincorporated areas left behind may or may not be viable.
“Our tax base is not evenly distributed,” said Rader, explaining that areas like south DeKalb have a low tax base. “Our goal should be to find a new state of equity.”
Rader added that he understands the trend towards incorporation, and can’t defend the administration of the county.
“I understand the dissatisfaction that has sparked this movement. People are tired of not getting their money’s worth.”
Rader wants any feasibility study to measure the impact on the rest of the county, and adjacent areas, but adds, “if there are rational boundaries, it might be okay.”
District One commissioner Elaine Boyer said she would not support Rader’s resolution. “People have a right to organize their government,” said Boyer. “If everyone wants to be in a city like in Fulton County, so be it. My constituents are not children. We are here to represent people, not dictate how they should do stuff.”
Rep. Jacobs called Rader’s efforts a delay tactic by those who oppose incorporation and predicted it will go nowhere in a Republican-dominated state house. State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) agreed, and called it, “a desperate grab to stall the inevitability of citizens looking for smaller, more responsive governments.”
Taylor added that while the county has raised the millage rate, the new cities have proven they can deliver efficient services at a lower rate, pointing out that Dunwoody has the lowest tax rate in the county.
Rader’s proposal was to introduced at Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting.
By Rebecca Chase Williams
On the road to a possible vote on a new city of Brookhaven, a study group has modified the city’s proposed boundaries and a DeKalb County commissioner has called for a moratorium on the incorporation of new cities.
The Citizens for North Brookhaven (C4ND), the non-profit group that has commissioned a feasibility study of a new city, announced that it has removed the commercial area of Century Center from the proposed city’s boundaries. The group explained in a press release that, after listening to the concerns of residents in the neighborhoods adjacent to Century Center, the Board of C4ND decided to make the change to better preserve the ability of those residents to explore their own municipal options in the future.
State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-north DeKalb) further explained that when the city of Dunwoody was being formed, he worked with the state Sen. Dan Weber and (then) state Rep. Fran Millar to exclude Perimeter Summit, just south of I-285, from the city of Dunwoody. He argued that the commercial area would be important to the adjacent citizens if those neighborhoods were to ever incorporate. In an email to constituents, Jacobs explained that Century Center is to the adjacent neighborhoods what Perimeter Summit is to the Murphey Candler/ Nancy Creek neighborhoods.
After listening to the affected neighborhoods, C4ND made a decision in the interests of fairness and equity to exclude it from the Brookhaven study area, wrote Jacobs.
The feasibility study being conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of the University of Georgia is expected to be completed by the beginning of November.
“We are eager to receive the report from the Carl Vinson Institute so that we can review it and release it to the community. That has been our mission from the beginning and we are pleased to see our goal within reach,” said Doug Dykhuizen, president of Citizens for North DeKalb.
In another development, DeKalb County commissioner Jeff Rader plans to ask the county commission this week for a moratorium on new cities in DeKalb County. Rader’s resolution calls on the General Assembly to form a study commission to address a method for determining reasonable boundaries, taking into account the fiscal capacity of the annexing/newly incorporating areas and the remaining unincorporated area to provide basic public services.
In an interview with The Crier, Commissioner Rader said he is not against the incorporation of new cities, but is worried that the unincorporated areas left behind may or may not be viable.
“Our tax base is not evenly distributed,” said Rader, explaining that areas like south DeKalb have a low tax base. “Our goal should be to find a new state of equity.”
Rader added that he understands the trend towards incorporation, and can’t defend the administration of the county.
“I understand the dissatisfaction that has sparked this movement. People are tired of not getting their money’s worth.”
Rader wants any feasibility study to measure the impact on the rest of the county, and adjacent areas, but adds, “if there are rational boundaries, it might be okay.”
District One commissioner Elaine Boyer said she would not support Rader’s resolution. “People have a right to organize their government,” said Boyer. “If everyone wants to be in a city like in Fulton County, so be it. My constituents are not children. We are here to represent people, not dictate how they should do stuff.”
Rep. Jacobs called Rader’s efforts a delay tactic by those who oppose incorporation and predicted it will go nowhere in a Republican-dominated state house. State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) agreed, and called it, “a desperate grab to stall the inevitability of citizens looking for smaller, more responsive governments.”
Taylor added that while the county has raised the millage rate, the new cities have proven they can deliver efficient services at a lower rate, pointing out that Dunwoody has the lowest tax rate in the county.
Rader’s proposal was to introduced at Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Councilman open to looking at annexation
From the Dunwoody Crier
By John Schaffner
Dunwoody Councilman Robert Wittenstein said he “likely would be supportive” if residents in the northern portion of Brookhaven decided they would rather be annexed into Dunwoody than create a new city or remain in unincorporated DeKalb County.
During an interview with The Crier, Wittenstein said, “I am pretty comfortable with that. I think we have a great thing going here. If I lived down there, I would want to be in Dunwoody too.”
Wittenstein attended the June 29 third town hall meeting for residents in the unincorporated area of DeKalb—generally called Brookhaven—to discuss future options of creating a new city of Brookhaven, possibly seeking annexation into one of the adjoining existing cities or maintaining the status quo.
More than 150 residents attended the meeting in the Lupton Auditorium at Oglethorpe University, which was organized and moderated by State Rep. Elena Parent (D-Brookhaven). The previous two meetings were arranged by State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Brookhaven), who has sponsored a city of Brookhaven bill in the Georgia Legislature for possible consideration next session.
State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) and Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), also have participated in all three meetings, but especially the first two in Chamblee and at Oglethorpe, which drew more than 250 residents each.
Jacobs has said that the genesis of the broader discussion was talk of the possibility of the area of Brookhaven north of Windsor Parkway and west of Ashford-Dunwoody Road asking about being annexed into Dunwoody and other areas east of Ashford-Dunwoody Road possibly being annexed into Chamblee.
“Dunwoody can offer then a much higher level of service than they are getting today,” Wittenstein explained. “It means some extra police patrols and road paving, so there is some cost. But my feeling is that the revenues that we would pick up would balance the books, and there would not be a burden on the existing city.”
Wittenstein said, if the residents in Brookhaven were to become part of Dunwoody, “they cannot only get better services, they can lower their tax bill. In the period of time we have been in existence, Dunwoody has held our tax rates flat and DeKalb has gone up every year,” he added.
“As long as we can do it without it become a burden, I believe there is no reason not to” annex that area into Dunwoody,” he stated, but providing that is what those residents want.
Concerning the discussions of creating a new city of Brookhaven, the founding city councilman said the people in Brookhaven are worried about two things—“feasibility and desirability. Having done what we did in Dunwoody, I can guarantee it is feasible to create a city of Brookhaven.” He said the planned study by the Vincent Institute at the University of Georgia will show that.
“When they know that, the issue will be all about desirability,” he added. In Dunwoody we had just the opposite situation. We didn’t know if it was feasible, but we were unanimous about it being desirable. We all knew if we could, we wanted to.”
Wittenstein said he believes Brookhaven has the tax base to become a city if it wants. “They have to do some soul searching about what they want to do.”
By John Schaffner
Dunwoody Councilman Robert Wittenstein said he “likely would be supportive” if residents in the northern portion of Brookhaven decided they would rather be annexed into Dunwoody than create a new city or remain in unincorporated DeKalb County.
During an interview with The Crier, Wittenstein said, “I am pretty comfortable with that. I think we have a great thing going here. If I lived down there, I would want to be in Dunwoody too.”
Wittenstein attended the June 29 third town hall meeting for residents in the unincorporated area of DeKalb—generally called Brookhaven—to discuss future options of creating a new city of Brookhaven, possibly seeking annexation into one of the adjoining existing cities or maintaining the status quo.
More than 150 residents attended the meeting in the Lupton Auditorium at Oglethorpe University, which was organized and moderated by State Rep. Elena Parent (D-Brookhaven). The previous two meetings were arranged by State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Brookhaven), who has sponsored a city of Brookhaven bill in the Georgia Legislature for possible consideration next session.
State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) and Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), also have participated in all three meetings, but especially the first two in Chamblee and at Oglethorpe, which drew more than 250 residents each.
Jacobs has said that the genesis of the broader discussion was talk of the possibility of the area of Brookhaven north of Windsor Parkway and west of Ashford-Dunwoody Road asking about being annexed into Dunwoody and other areas east of Ashford-Dunwoody Road possibly being annexed into Chamblee.
“Dunwoody can offer then a much higher level of service than they are getting today,” Wittenstein explained. “It means some extra police patrols and road paving, so there is some cost. But my feeling is that the revenues that we would pick up would balance the books, and there would not be a burden on the existing city.”
Wittenstein said, if the residents in Brookhaven were to become part of Dunwoody, “they cannot only get better services, they can lower their tax bill. In the period of time we have been in existence, Dunwoody has held our tax rates flat and DeKalb has gone up every year,” he added.
“As long as we can do it without it become a burden, I believe there is no reason not to” annex that area into Dunwoody,” he stated, but providing that is what those residents want.
Concerning the discussions of creating a new city of Brookhaven, the founding city councilman said the people in Brookhaven are worried about two things—“feasibility and desirability. Having done what we did in Dunwoody, I can guarantee it is feasible to create a city of Brookhaven.” He said the planned study by the Vincent Institute at the University of Georgia will show that.
“When they know that, the issue will be all about desirability,” he added. In Dunwoody we had just the opposite situation. We didn’t know if it was feasible, but we were unanimous about it being desirable. We all knew if we could, we wanted to.”
Wittenstein said he believes Brookhaven has the tax base to become a city if it wants. “They have to do some soul searching about what they want to do.”
Friday, June 10, 2011
Georgia Chamber Names 2011 Legislators of the Year
Three members of the Georgia General Assembly have been recognized by the Georgia Chamber for their commitment to the state’s business community. House Speaker David Ralston (Blue Ridge) and State Sen. John Bulloch (Ochlocknee) were named the Chamber’s 2011 Legislators of the Year in the state House and Senate respectively. Earning the Chamber’s Freshman of the Year Award was first-year State Rep. Tom Taylor (Dunwoody).
“In these difficult economic times, Georgia’s businesses need their elected officials to make decisions that will help grow the private sector and create jobs,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. “These three individuals have proven to be true champions of business and free enterprise. We are grateful for their commitment and we look forward to continuing to work with them to build the most business-friendly environment in the nation.”
Read the full article on the Georgia Chamber website.
“In these difficult economic times, Georgia’s businesses need their elected officials to make decisions that will help grow the private sector and create jobs,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. “These three individuals have proven to be true champions of business and free enterprise. We are grateful for their commitment and we look forward to continuing to work with them to build the most business-friendly environment in the nation.”
Read the full article on the Georgia Chamber website.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Poll: City of Brookhaven preferred over Chamblee or Dunwoody
From the Dunwoody Crier
A new telephone poll conducted by State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-North DeKalb) found that a large majority of those polled would favor leaving unincorporated DeKalb to be part of an existing city or even forming a new one. In fact, forming a new city of Brookhaven was the favorite over joining the existing city of Dunwoody or Chamblee. The poll contacted 227 residents who live near the Murphey Candler park, off West Nancy Creek Drive or surrounding Silver Lake, the areas considered most likely to be part of an potential annexation or cityhood solution.
When asked “Would you favor or oppose legislation that would allow residents of unincorporated North DeKalb County to choose whether to annex into an existing city?” 63.5 percent said they favored such legislation. About 18 percent would oppose and 18.5 percent had no opinion. When asked if legislation were to pass the General Assembly so as to allow residents to determine whether to stay in unincorporated DeKalb County or opt for another solution, the poll found that 30.8 percent favored creating a new city of Brookhaven. 21.6 percent wanted to remain in unincorporated DeKalb County, 19 percent wanted to join Dunwoody, 10.3 percent would join Chamblee and 18.3 percent had no opinion.
“The only possible way to interpret the polls,” said Jacobs, “is that there is a clear mandate in the neighborhoods surrounding Murphey Candler, West Nancy Creek and Silver Lake to move forward with a municipal solution.”
Jacobs has already introduced legislation to allow the cities of Dunwoody or Chamblee to annex an adjacent “unincorporated peninsula” it within four miles of its boundaries. The bill passed the House Governmental Affairs committee but Jacobs decided to hold it until next year’s General Assembly to give the communities affected time to discuss the issue.
Jacobs said he wasn’t surprised that the creation of a new city of Brookhaven was the most popular outcome of his poll.
“The Brookhaven brand has a nice ring it,” Jacobs told the Crier. “Our area which is not in Dunwoody, Chamblee or Brookhaven has historically been referred to as North Brookhaven.” Jacobs added that the advantage of a new city of Brookhaven is that “it’s completely a blank slate. We can set it up in whatever way citizens are interested in setting up a city.”
The poll results have prompted Jacobs to draft legislation for a city charter for a city of Brookhaven, to be introduced before the end of this year’s session. Jacobs said his purpose to place all the options on the table as well as allow the possibility that a new city could be created by 2012. Because of legislative committee rules, if Jacobs waited until next year to introduce a charter, it would be 2014 before a new city could be created.
“If I don’t introduce at least a skeletal charter for a city of Brookhaven before the end of this legislative session, then we will have to wait a full three years before passing a city charter,” said Jacobs. “There is no downside to passing a city charter at time. We will work on improving it if we move forward before next session. If there is no interest in a city of Brookhaven, the bill doesn’t have to move at all.”
Jacobs along with State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) will host a community meeting, Tuesday, March 29 at Chamblee United Methodist Church to discuss the poll results and the options available.
Jacobs and Taylor answered questions last week before the Murphey Candler Homeowners’ Association. Jacobs told the audience that “city government is proving more efficient, more nimble and closer to the people,” adding that, “you get more for paying the same amount,” without adding another layer of government or paying higher taxes.
Taylor talked about the hard work that went into the creation of the city of Dunwoody but that it has “worked out great.” Taylor pointed out that Dunwoody after its second year in operation ended the year with a reserve and surplus. With only five city employees, most city functions are outsourced, except for the police. Taylor said the difference in services was “night and day.” For example, while in unincorporated DeKalb, Dunwoody contributed $13 million a year for police protection of one to two patrols a shift. Now the city pays $5.1 million and has seven patrols a shift. With local elected officials who live in or near your neighborhood, Taylor laughingly said now residents, “can reach out and strangle someone.”
In response to resident’s concerns that his annexation bill could allow Dunwoody or Chamblee to cherry pick commercial areas that produce more tax revenue but leave behind residential areas, Jacobs insisted that he would control the bill to make sure that an entire area that wants to be annexed would be included in the new boundaries, adding “I will pledge that a final bill will not enable cherry picking.”
A new telephone poll conducted by State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-North DeKalb) found that a large majority of those polled would favor leaving unincorporated DeKalb to be part of an existing city or even forming a new one. In fact, forming a new city of Brookhaven was the favorite over joining the existing city of Dunwoody or Chamblee. The poll contacted 227 residents who live near the Murphey Candler park, off West Nancy Creek Drive or surrounding Silver Lake, the areas considered most likely to be part of an potential annexation or cityhood solution.
When asked “Would you favor or oppose legislation that would allow residents of unincorporated North DeKalb County to choose whether to annex into an existing city?” 63.5 percent said they favored such legislation. About 18 percent would oppose and 18.5 percent had no opinion. When asked if legislation were to pass the General Assembly so as to allow residents to determine whether to stay in unincorporated DeKalb County or opt for another solution, the poll found that 30.8 percent favored creating a new city of Brookhaven. 21.6 percent wanted to remain in unincorporated DeKalb County, 19 percent wanted to join Dunwoody, 10.3 percent would join Chamblee and 18.3 percent had no opinion.
“The only possible way to interpret the polls,” said Jacobs, “is that there is a clear mandate in the neighborhoods surrounding Murphey Candler, West Nancy Creek and Silver Lake to move forward with a municipal solution.”
Jacobs has already introduced legislation to allow the cities of Dunwoody or Chamblee to annex an adjacent “unincorporated peninsula” it within four miles of its boundaries. The bill passed the House Governmental Affairs committee but Jacobs decided to hold it until next year’s General Assembly to give the communities affected time to discuss the issue.
Jacobs said he wasn’t surprised that the creation of a new city of Brookhaven was the most popular outcome of his poll.
“The Brookhaven brand has a nice ring it,” Jacobs told the Crier. “Our area which is not in Dunwoody, Chamblee or Brookhaven has historically been referred to as North Brookhaven.” Jacobs added that the advantage of a new city of Brookhaven is that “it’s completely a blank slate. We can set it up in whatever way citizens are interested in setting up a city.”
The poll results have prompted Jacobs to draft legislation for a city charter for a city of Brookhaven, to be introduced before the end of this year’s session. Jacobs said his purpose to place all the options on the table as well as allow the possibility that a new city could be created by 2012. Because of legislative committee rules, if Jacobs waited until next year to introduce a charter, it would be 2014 before a new city could be created.
“If I don’t introduce at least a skeletal charter for a city of Brookhaven before the end of this legislative session, then we will have to wait a full three years before passing a city charter,” said Jacobs. “There is no downside to passing a city charter at time. We will work on improving it if we move forward before next session. If there is no interest in a city of Brookhaven, the bill doesn’t have to move at all.”
Jacobs along with State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) will host a community meeting, Tuesday, March 29 at Chamblee United Methodist Church to discuss the poll results and the options available.
Jacobs and Taylor answered questions last week before the Murphey Candler Homeowners’ Association. Jacobs told the audience that “city government is proving more efficient, more nimble and closer to the people,” adding that, “you get more for paying the same amount,” without adding another layer of government or paying higher taxes.
Taylor talked about the hard work that went into the creation of the city of Dunwoody but that it has “worked out great.” Taylor pointed out that Dunwoody after its second year in operation ended the year with a reserve and surplus. With only five city employees, most city functions are outsourced, except for the police. Taylor said the difference in services was “night and day.” For example, while in unincorporated DeKalb, Dunwoody contributed $13 million a year for police protection of one to two patrols a shift. Now the city pays $5.1 million and has seven patrols a shift. With local elected officials who live in or near your neighborhood, Taylor laughingly said now residents, “can reach out and strangle someone.”
In response to resident’s concerns that his annexation bill could allow Dunwoody or Chamblee to cherry pick commercial areas that produce more tax revenue but leave behind residential areas, Jacobs insisted that he would control the bill to make sure that an entire area that wants to be annexed would be included in the new boundaries, adding “I will pledge that a final bill will not enable cherry picking.”
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