DeKalb County Commissioners want more say on development, particularly tax-exempt projects.
On Monday, the commission’s Planning, Economic Development and Public Works Committee asked the DeKalb Development Authority to amend its bylaws to allow commissioners to serve on the board and consider increasing the board’s membership from seven to nine.
“DeKalb has a lot of tax-exempt property as a result of the authority. We’re concerned about this,” Commissioner Jeff Rader said.
Commissioners also complained that they don’t receive information on proposed development until too late in the process, referencing the proposed development at the vacant GM plant in Doraville last year. The commission voted against this project.
Commissioner Kathie Gannon asked if commissioners would receive a stipend for service on the board. County policies allow the Authority members to receive a daily per diem, but the members currently do not receive any pay, attorneys said.
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