Some ballot initiatives deserve a YES vote

Metro Atlanta voters will not only choose elected leaders on Nov. 4, they will also be asked to vote on a wide array of initiatives, from increasing taxes for certain projects to changing a form of government. The following are recommendations on those ballot initiatives.

DEKALB COUNTY

DeKalb voters face one countywide, binding referendum on Nov. 4, but it’s an important question — whether the DeKalb County Commission should run its own meetings and set its own agenda.

Now, DeKalb’s unique form of government — fashioned 23 years ago in response to the personality and popularity of the legendary county leader Manuel Maloof — empowers the CEO to preside over the commission meetings and set the agenda for those meetings. This model of government assumes a cordiality and cooperation between the CEO and commission that have not always existed in DeKalb, turning commission meetings into battles of will and creating colorful but time-consuming stalemates.

Opponents of the referendum allege that it’s a visceral and overblown response to the controversial tenure of strong-willed CEO Vernon Jones, but attempts to shorten the reach of the CEO also occurred with his predecessor Liane Levetan, who had her own pitched battles with the commission.

The problem isn’t a matter of personalities; this form of governance just hasn’t served DeKalb well. It’s undermined efficiency. It’s caused unnecessary bickering and bottlenecks. And it’s wasted the time of residents who show up for commission meetings only to suffer through silly tugs-of-war between the CEO and commissioners.

That’s why voters should vote “YES” on this common-sense amendment, which liberates the commission from the whims and wiles of a CEO. It also frees up the CEO to focus on overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county and managing the budget, a job that’s going to be a lot tougher now because of DeKalb’s soaring foreclosures and slumping house sales. While the change curtails the power of the CEO, it has the support of newly elected CEO Burrell Ellis, who would become the first chief executive to operate under its constraints.

DeKalb voters also face a nonbinding, advisory referendum on whether all DeKalb students should wear uniforms. The question seems far more appropriate to a parent survey than a presidential election ballot. In general, uniforms ought to be a school-based decision rather than a central-office dictate, left up to the collective wisdom of principals, teachers and parents at each individual school.

COBB COUNTY

Two years ago Cobb County voters approved a $40 million bond issue to buy park land. It was a smart move. A couple of real jewels, the Hyde and the Bullard farms, were acquired and are therefore protected for the enjoyment of future generations.

Another $40 million parks referendum is on the Nov. 4 ballot. The 2006 referendum passed with 70 percent voter support. This one should, too, so vote YES.

About 90 percent of Cobb’s 220,000 acres is already developed. The lull resulting from the collapse of the housing market is an opportunity to acquire recently threatened greenspace vital to the quality of life in Cobb. Forty million is a modest sum for a marvelous opportunity to buy treasures before they’re lost. Our grandchildren will be grateful.

FULTON COUNTY

The Atlanta-Fulton County Library Board held 37 public meetings around the county, taking input on its library master plan. From that careful process came a request that voters approve a $225 million bond referendum to build eight new libraries, expand two current libraries and renovate another 23.

However, when the proposal came before the Fulton County Commission for approval to go on the ballot, something important changed. Largely at the urging of Commissioner Robb Pitts, another $50 million was added to the referendum request for building a new downtown central library. The idea had not been presented to the public during the hearing process.

That additional $50 million, combined with $34 million contained in the original request for renovation of the downtown library, would give the library board $84 million in public funds toward a new “landmark” central library. That would still leave the proposal an estimated $85 million short, money that the county hopes to raise through private sources.

That seems exceedingly unlikely, especially with the economy turning sour. Furthermore, with the city of Atlanta and Fulton County both facing budget problems, voters shouldn’t be asked to shoulder a major project of questionable need.

Libraries are part of the fabric that make a healthy community. But in this specific case, voters should vote NO.

The Atlanta and Fulton County ballots also include a proposed increase in the homestead exemption for school, county and city property taxes, as well as two proposals to increase the homestead exemption for lower-income senior citizens. Those proposals deserve support, so voters should say YES.

GWINNETT COUNTY

Gwinnett voters have a history of saying YES to special sales tax levies that pay for the county’s demand for new roads and other capital improvements. They should renew the 1 percent sales tax for roads, bridges, libraries, public safety and other improvements that’s on the ballot again this year.

Since 1986, Gwinnett has approved more than $1.6 billion in public financing — mostly for new transportation projects — in what was once one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties. Growth in Gwinnett has slowed down in recent years, but the county’s extensive road network continues to need improvement.

The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (or SPLOST) issue on this year’s ballot, if approved, would generate an estimated $850 million. Roughly half, about $381 million, would go to roads, streets and bridges.

Starting with a 1997 SPLOST, the county completed 222 road projects, including resurfacing more than 370 miles of roadway. Subsequent renewals in 2001 and 2005 have resulted in more than 330 projects, including 600 miles of roadway resurfacing. By using SPLOST financing, the county has been able to do much of the work on a pay-as-you-go basis. Otherwise it would have had to rely on more traditional financing mechanisms, such as long-term bonds that would carry tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments for taxpayers.

Gwinnett voters would do well to stay the course. Vote YES.

— Jay Bookman, Maureen Downey, Mike King, and Jim Wooten, for the editorial board