Tax increases proposed for DeKalb roads and MARTA

Here’s a look at the list of the commission’s legislative priorities:

• Let voters to decide on a 1-cent-per-dollar sales tax that would pay for roads and other infrastructure. County commissioners asked state representatives to change the wording of a 2015 law that could have the unintended consequence of increasing property taxes along with sales taxes. The county currently charges a 7 percent sales tax.
• Allow a voter referendum on raising sales taxes for MARTA by a half cent per dollar. This money could go toward long-sought projects such as the eastward extension of train lines to Stonecrest and the Clifton Corridor light rail connecting Lindbergh Station, Emory University and Avondale Station. Atlanta voters approved a similar MARTA tax last year.
• Force cities formed in recent years to contribute to the county's unfunded pension liabilities. Those cities could include Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Tucker and Stonecrest.
• Create stricter standards before new cities can be created. Those standards could include a countywide referendum when an area seeks to incorporate.
• Permit counties to collect franchise fees from utilities for their use of public right-of-way. Currently only cities can collect franchise fees from most utilities, though cable companies pay both cities and counties.
• Create a charter review commission to evaluate DeKalb's CEO-led government structure.
• Support funding for county transportation, juvenile justice and 911 systems. These initiatives are part of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia's legislative agenda.