VOLUME 23 NUMBER 33
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Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
NOVEMBER 11, 2017
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DeKalb County voters approve SPLOST
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n Nov. 7, 70 percent of DeKalb County voters approved a one-cent special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) to address serious transportation needs and other capital improvements. Proposed by DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and the 12 cities wholly within the county, the measure will increase the current sales tax from 7 percent to 8 percent in April 2018. “For the first time in DeKalb County’s history, voters have approved a blueprint for success with the passage of the SPLOST,” said CEO Michael Thurmond. “We take
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ OCGNews
this vote of trust seriously and will continue to work with our city partners on a better future.”
Eighty-five percent of the $388 million expected to be generated over the next six years for the county will
go toward transportation projects, with more than $151 million for road resurfacing. The tax will also fund new fire stations and police cars as well as the renovation of parks, libraries, senior centers and health centers. DeKalb cities will receive $249 million for projects within their jurisdictions, allocated by population. Each city has its own project list. More than $110 million annually of the one-cent sales tax will go toward residential property tax relief. Also, homeowners will have their tax assessments frozen as long as the SPLOST is in effect. Unprepared food and drugs are exempt from the sales tax increase.
Stonecrest City Council mulls full-time mayor’s position, changes to the city’s charter
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he newly-formed city of Stonecrest is reviewing proposed changes to the city’s charter that include making the mayor’s position full time, clarifying responsibilities and powers of the position and separating the executive branch from legislative branch. The changes are among several recommendations the City Council discussed at its Nov. 8 work session, which lasted four hours. “We’re looking at several things in the charter and making suggestions to forward to the General Assembly,” said Councilman George Turner, noting that the upcoming Legislative Session begins in January. “We’re looking at having a full-time mayor. I believe we need a full-time mayor, based on what has to be done in terms of setting up the city and working on economic development. We know that we cannot operate with a part-time mayor with what we’re facing.” George Turner is not alone in his belief. Councilmembers Rob Turner and Jimmy Clanton concur. “When we had our Council retreat three weeks ago to discuss our goals and vision for the city, we said we wanted to create a world-class city. As a group, we said our city deserved to have a full-time mayor,” Clanton said. “I believe that our commitment was prophetic because
now we have SPLOST to manage, along with setting up the city. We’re not going to be able to do that with a part-time mayor.” Clanton also said the mayor’s position should include pay that is commensurate with CEOs who run corporations. “I don’t think that a mayor running the largest city in DeKalb County with over 50,000 people should be making what you’d pay an administrative assistant. This notion that public servants shouldn’t be compensated for the level of services they are providing is ridiculous,” Clanton said. Said Councilman Rob Turner: “We’re starting to build a city from scratch and having to be available and accessible for all kinds of meetings. The head of a city has to be available as we put in place the groundwork for our infrastructure. It’s critical that the head is at the table.” Councilwoman Diane Adoma said, however, she is concerned about changing the mayor’s position to one that is full time—and the $85,000-a-year salary proposed for the job. The current salary for mayor is $20,000 a year. Adoma said she also is not in favor of increasing salaries for City Council members as Mayor Jason Lary has proposed. The salaries for council members would increase from $15,000 a year
to $25,000 under a recommendation by the mayor. “I want what’s best for the city of Stonecrest. As a new city, it is extremely critical to be frugal on the front end, factoring in cushion for uncertainty,” said Adoma. “There are 539 new cities in the state and there are an infinite number of ways to get things done. This is about what is the best way for the city of Stonecrest. There are long-term implications to our decisions. It’s important to understand this is a city of 55,000-plus people who should also play a role in this decision. This fight needs to go to the people. My constituents have told me they want to have input in this decision. They want to feel like it’s their city, too.” Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble said she believes there are valid arguments on both sides concerning the proposal to make the mayor’s position full time. “I understand the position that there is an expectation for elected officials to be available at every beck and call, but do you rectify that by making the position full time? I don’t have the answer for that as of yet. I agree with Diane that we should extend the opportunity to the public for feedback before we finalize any decision, especially those that have implications on the budget,” Cobble said. “I’m still working through the fact that we have a robust staff to run
the city and a $16 million contract with CH2M to provide us the best and brightest candidates, so how much oversight from the office of the mayor is truly needed for the day to day functionality of the city?” Cobble said she has asked constituents to send in feedback, which she plans to bring up at the next work session, scheduled for Nov. 15. Meanwhile, Mayor Lary said he remains focused on the city’s mission. “We’re building Stonecrest on community, commerce and culture, working together as a world-class city. We can’t do that with a parttime mayor,” said Lary. “The council members have additional duties that other city council members do not have such as the development of our film market, oversight of planning and zoning, beautification of the entire town, Smart City initiatives and Public Finance, which is why I’m recommending raising their salaries. We are developing a full-fledged police department and by law, we have to take over roads and drains. We are real city now. We have the budget to take care of all of our needs, including salaries.” All of the council members said they expect to spend a lot of time pouring over the proposed charter changes before voting on any resolution to present to lawmakers by the end of the month.
Rockdale Sheriff’s deputies make three major drug busts The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office Surge team, along with state and local agencies, have made three major drug busts over the last three weeks, seizing over $3.5 million in cocaine and heroin. The most recent seizures and arrests were made on Nov. 1 when a search warrant was executed by the team and DEA agents at a residence on Georgia Highway 212. Five kilos of cocaine valued at $250,000 was seized. Agents also confiscated $67,000 in cash and two handguns. Jorge Vargas, 21, and Miguel Angel Ruiz-Serma, 43, both of Conyers were arrested and are now facing charges of trafficking cocaine. Vargas is facing additional charges of
Victor Gomez-Perez
Miguel Angel Ruiz-Serma
Jorge Alberto Vargas
obstruction of officers. Agents also made a major bust on Oct. 28 during a traffic stop on I-20 westbound between West Avenue and Sigman Road. Investigators seized 38 packages containing 97.96 pounds of cocaine. Investigators said the esti-
mated street value was worth $2 million. Victor Gomez-Perez was arrested during the stop. Perez was charged with trafficking cocaine and transported to the Rockdale County Jail. “This seizure is proof that this Surge Team is following my vision of continuing to rid this county of criminals, especially those who attempt to bring drugs in,” said Sheriff Eric Levett. “I am a crime-fighter and I made a promise to my citizens to keep Rockdale safe. Criminals are not welcome in Rockdale and we will catch them.” The first bust occurred on Oct. 18. Ten pounds of heroin valued at more than $1.5 million were seized and two men were arrested in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Conyers.