DeKalb plans animal shelter, libraries and more
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May is proposing funding to build a new animal shelter, a recreation center and a library.
May's budget amendment letter Tuesday outlined the spending efforts that will be incorporated into the county's 2016 budget. Much of the money to pay for these projects would come from a one-time windfall gained by refinancing bonds and restructuring their payment schedule.
The $8.6 million animal shelter would be constructed near DeKalb-Peachtree Airport and be funded through short-term bonds, according to May’s budget proposal. The DeKalb Commission could vote on the project’s funding as soon as Feb. 9.
The county expects to gain another $25.8 million by refinancing bonds at low interest rates.
About $18.6 million of that money would go toward construction of a Wade Walker Library, an intergenerational center at Tobie Grant Park, a Lithonia Senior Center, parks maintenance, library books and sidewalks.
The remaining $7.2 million would go toward DeKalb’s savings accounts, bringing the county close to its goal of keeping about one month’s worth of operating funds in reserve — about $50 million.
The DeKalb Commission will vote on the county's $1.31 billion budget later this month.
About the Author
Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.
