The Tucker community is committed to cityhood because it will provide increased local control of the decisions affecting our lives. No one can better decide what a community needs than its citizens, and cityhood allows those decisions to become reality.
Tucker is well-balanced economically, with a mix of residential, commercial and industrial properties. Our feasibility study verifies that the balance is healthy and sustainable and will propel our economic development as a city.
From the start, Tucker will be a fiscally responsible city, with room to grow. That growth will be based on citizens’ decisions at the ballot box and determined by actual revenues, both hallmarks of self-determination and responsible spending.
The law allows prospective cities to choose which services — a minimum of three — will be offered initially. For nearly two years, in countless meetings and online discussions across the community, residents have expressed their desire for three initial cost-effective services: code enforcement, planning and zoning, and parks and recreation. These important services will impact quality of life, community appearance and property values and therefore have a direct bearing on the city’s economic growth. However, they are also possible to provide without incurring large upfront capital costs that other services like a new city police force would require.
Public safety is very important to our community. In Tucker, we have two DeKalb County police precincts, located on average within four miles of every Tucker residence and business. Targeted efforts by the DeKalb police reduced property crime by 20 percent in the Tucker Precinct and by 18 percent in the North Central Precinct this year, following a reduction last year. Tucker’s initial police services will continue to be provided by DeKalb, in close partnership with city officials and neighborhoods.
Tucker 2015, the volunteer organization spearheading cityhood efforts, is working diligently with DeKalb police and county leadership to ensure our intergovernmental agreement regarding public safety provides high-quality services and is financially responsible. Tucker city officials will be active members in the ongoing relationship with DeKalb police and will be able to address costs and coverage effectively.
Peachtree Corners is a successful model of a new city that chose not to organize a police force from its inception. Instead, like Tucker, Peachtree Corners has focused on code enforcement and planning and zoning. In Peachtree Corners and Tucker, the decision is a considered one. Along with the initial debt required to build a police force, estimates are that police services can annually consume more than 60 percent of a city budget, meaning fewer funds are available to implement projects that will attract quality businesses and manage planning and zoning decisions to reflect our community’s vision for its future.
Tucker’s vision will be shaped by citizen input. Residents and business owners have experience working together to benefit the community. Dedicated volunteers donating their time and expertise have improved our parks, transformed the appearance and viability of our commercial areas like Main Street and Northlake, and built a community ripe for increased economic growth.
Tucker has benefited from two community improvement districts, business overlay zoning districts, livable centers initiative plans, and numerous grants for transportation enhancements and parks projects. Imagine how much more can be done by combining this local experience with full-time city officials dedicated to Tucker’s needs. City government will provide greater local control for even more effective results.
Tucker’s proposed city map of 53,000 residents, which includes the 23,000 who live in both our Tucker map and the newly proposed city of LaVista Hill’s map, are diverse in many ways — by interests, politics, race, religion and socioeconomics — and united by our love for Tucker and our desire to see it be the thriving city we know it can be.
It’s been well-proven by the positive dedication and determination of the community that cityhood for Tucker makes sense, and our community is ready to move forward.
Ann Lewis is a Tucker 2015 volunteer.
