DeKalb project list
The DeKalb Commission voted 7-0 Tuesday to spend about $19 million on 33 projects across the county:
- Brookhaven Library, $4.1 million
- Ellenwood Library, $3.9 million
- Glen Emerald Dam renovations, $1.2 million
- Pedestrian bridge over I-285 at Church Street near Clarkston, $1 million
- Park and athletic complexes: $6.6 million
- Sidewalks: $1.7 million
- Other libraries: $470,000
Ten years after voters approved new libraries in Brookhaven and Ellenwood, they can finally be built.
The DeKalb County Commission voted 7-0 to spend the remaining $19 million in 2005 bond proceeds on libraries, a dam, a bridge, parks and sidewalks.
Commissioners resolved their long political stalemate over the money by striking a deal on Tuesday. The libraries and smaller stalled projects will be completed, and each commissioner's district received $1 million for public facilities in its area.
“It shows the board has come together,” said Commissioner Larry Johnson, the board’s presiding officer. “This is another significant step forward for us. You see us focusing on the greater good and not just focusing on individual districts.”
By approving a final list of construction projects, DeKalb can now refinance general obligation bonds and gain an instant windfall.
Refinancing at lower interest rates is expected to generate $21 million that commissioners can decide how to spend next year.
Some of that money could go toward building a new $3.4 million library outside of Stone Mountain, a project that Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton said is a priority. Commissioners have also discussed spending the proceeds on a $6.3 million recreation center Tobie Grant Park in the Scottdale neighborhood.
“I’m excited to move forward,” Sutton said. “The interest money can be used for whatever projects are needed.”
County commissioners and Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May debated since last year how to allocate unspent bond proceeds, which had an original principal amount of $230 million. Most of the money was previously used for park construction, land acquisition, transportation improvements and library upgrades.
The decision on spending was delayed in part by the county’s accounting errors.
Officials believed in May they had more than $35 million in bond funds remaining, but a monthslong review concluded the correct amount was $19 million. The higher figure included money that had already been spent, including $10 million to buy Briarlake Forest and $4 million for road resurfacing.
After outside accountants and county finance employees verified and updated their figures, the DeKalb Commission negotiated Tuesday’s agreement to distribute money across the county.
“There’s a pretty lengthy list of items here, and we’re ready to turn dirt,” said DeKalb Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams.
In all, the spending includes $8.5 million for libraries, $6.6 million for parks, $2.3 million for infrastructure and $1.7 million for sidewalks.
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