On this DeKalb’s mayors and county commissioners can agree: Asking voters for a sales tax increase is the best option for finding funds to pay for road repaving and other infrastructure improvements.
But as a deadline to place the sales tax on November's ballot quickly approaches, there's no consensus on how long residents should pay it, or whether city residents' taxes should be used to fund countywide fire station repairs.
Elected officials from both the cities and counties said Thursday they’ll meet again next week as they attempt to find a compromise before Sept. 8. Then the DeKalb Commission would vote on a list of construction projects as soon as Sept. 12.
The sales tax increase, from 7 percent to 8 percent, would raise about $100 million a year to repair hundreds of miles of bumpy roads, pave sidewalks, expand trails, rebuild fire stations and maintain parks. The special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) would provide dedicated funding for infrastructure that's lacking in the county's budget.
Mayors and city managers for the nine cities represented at the meeting said they want the SPLOST to last six years instead of five, which would guarantee an extra year of funding for local government projects. But DeKalb CEO Mike Thurmond said it might be better to focus on basic needs for five years, then pursue additional projects and facilities by renewing the sales tax as soon as possible afterward.
“I don’t have any doubt whatsoever that whatever issues there are remaining, we’re going to work it out,” Thurmond said. “The result will be improved quality of life for the citizens of DeKalb.”
While city government leaders were unified in their desire to collect as much sales tax revenue as possible over six years, some said they were uncertain about using their tax money for the DeKalb Fire Department. The department has sought $56 million to repair fire stations, replace portable radios, deploy quick response units and plan for a public safety training center.
“Fire is a county responsibility, and they need to take care of it. But we’re willing to talk about it,” said Bill Floyd of the DeKalb Municipal Association, which represents city governments.
The DeKalb Fire Department serves both unincorporated areas and cities, with the exception of Atlanta and Decatur, which have their own municipal fire departments. Fire protection operations are currently funded through property taxes, and the SPLOST would raise money for infrastructure improvements.
DeKalb commissioners suggested during a meeting earlier this month that if the cities don't agree to pay for fire upgrades through the SPLOST, they might raise property taxes for fire service next year.
“Right now, we’re just looking at paving the roads and fixing some other things,” said Dunwoody Mayor Denis Shortal. “SPLOST could be used for that (fire station repairs), but whose dollars are being used? We’ll have to discuss it.”
In all, the sales tax increase would generate an estimated $291 million for unincorporated and countywide services over the next five years, while city governments would receive $186 million. The sales tax would last a sixth year if every city and the county agree to extend it.
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