DeKalb: No extra local money for MARTA

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DeKalb County residents will not have to pay any more taxes to fund MARTA, county commissioners pledged Tuesday.

On Tuesday, commissioners asked state legislators to vote against a proposal that would charge a penny sales tax to 10 metro counties – including DeKalb and Fulton – to fund MARTA and other transportation projects. The bill calls for a referendum in the 10 counties.

The problem with the plan is that it doesn't take into account that DeKalb and Fulton residents already pay a penny tax to pay for MARTA, DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis said. That tax has been in effect for more than 30 years.

“We've got other pressing needs in our infrastructure and don’t want to be saddled with another penny,” Ellis told legislators.

That money is needed for roads, public safety, parks and other county services, he said.

Commissioners asked legislators to approve a referendum that would ask DeKalb voters to rescind the sales tax it now pays to MARTA – if the additional penny tax is imposed.

The Atlanta Regional Commission, which has endorsed the 10-county tax, said the tax would generate $7.9 billion over 10 years.

“It’s going to address congestion and the need for more resources,” ARC Director Charles “Chick” Krautler said. “We have more needs than we have money for.”

State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) said she will not vote for any transportation plan unless DeKalb and Fulton voters are accommodated.

“We need new funding for transportation, but it’s going to be hard for us to vote for the ARC package,” she said. “I think we in DeKalb and Fulton have to make sure our constituents are treated fairly, and there’s still work to be done.”

On Tuesday, commissioners outlined their legislative wish list to their local General Assembly leaders. They asked for tougher annexation rules, a law requiring gas stations to install surveillance cameras, and extending the foreclosure time from 30 to 120 days. But at the top of that list was fixing MARTA.

Commissioners also asked legislators to remove or reduce the state cap that requires MARTA to spend at least 50 percent of its sales tax revenue on capital improvements. That money could then be used to help pay for MARTA’s operating deficit, Commissioner Jeff Rader said.

Commissioners said they plan to follow up their request next week, when they are scheduled to vote to hire a new lobbying firm to help with the MARTA issue and other legislation that affects the county.

“It’s not so much what you’re putting forward, but what you’re stopping,” Commissioner Kathie Gannon said.

The commission is now collecting bids for the lobbying contract, but said it will require the firm to report back to commissioners weekly. Last year, the county paid $75,000 to GeorgiaLink to provide lobbying services for six months, according to Commissioner Connie Stokes.