When DeKalb County residents pay their water and sewer bills, that expense solely funds their water and sewer service.
Unlike Cobb County, DeKalb's government doesn't redirect water payments for other purposes.
Cobb residents received a message on their November bills that 10 percent of water department revenue — about $20 million — will be dedicated to public safety in 2016.
Of the $315 million DeKalb anticipates spending in 2016 for water and sewer operations, the only part that’s shifted to general funds is $4.9 million to support payroll, human resources, legal and budgeting services, according to county budget documents.
Gwinnett and Fulton counties make similar payments for services, but they don’t skim water revenue for unrelated departments.
DeKalb's estimated budget for this year totals $1.31 billion and pays for a variety of services, including water, sewer, sanitation, police, fire, public works, parks, libraries, jails and courts. The DeKalb Commission is expected to vote on the budget in February.
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