City of Tucker to Host Meetings, Launches Website to Educate Residents About Public Works Referendum

[September 12, 2022] Tucker residents have several ways to learn more about the upcoming Public Works Referendum that could shift the day-to-day responsibilities of roads and maintenance, as well as stormwater services, under the City’s management.

The City has announced three, in-person community meetings on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. All Public Works Referendum community meetings will be held in City Hall Council Chambers, 1975 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 350B and accessible online at tuckerga.gov/pwmeeting. The referendum will appear on the November 8 General Election ballot for Tucker residents.

A dedicated page on the City’s website has also launched to keep residents and business owners informed. The website provides up-to-date information including FAQs so factual information is just a click away. The City will provide outreach materials though a variety of means including direct mail and its other communication channels. 

“The City of Tucker was formed to provide residents with more local control, including accountability for how our tax dollars are utilized in our community,” said Tucker Mayor Frank Auman. “After reviewing current public works service levels provided by DeKalb County, we voted as an elected body to put forth a referendum that, if approved, would keep tax dollars for these services within the City, substantially improve service delivery and better align efforts with our ongoing improvements.”

The City of Tucker has projected a homeowner with a property valued at $328,000 would see an average increase of $94 annually ($70 for roads and maintenance/$24 for stormwater) for the City to provide these services.  Businesses located within the City of Tucker would see a proportionate change as well. Similar to when Parks and Recreations services were transferred to the City, residents and businesses would no longer pay DeKalb County for the management of Public Works services.

If approved by residents during the November 8 General Election, combined public works services would transition to the City on July 1, 2023. “Within the first 365 days, our goals will be to prioritize deferred public works maintenance and address key repairs,” said City Manager Tami Hanlin. “If this shift in services takes place, we will develop a service delivery model that would ultimately reduce current repair and maintenance times by 50% by our second year of operations.”

Public Works services rendered under roads and maintenance include asphalt patching, pothole repairs, right-of-way maintenance, sidewalk and curb repairs, traffic sign/signal maintenance, bridge maintenance, pavement marking maintenance and transportation engineering services. Stormwater services include stormwater infrastructure and catch basin repairs.

Residents will have the opportunity to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the referendum during the General Election period, including absentee voting, advance voting and Election Day voting. 

Public Works Referendum Language:

“Transition of Public Works Services from DeKalb County to City of Tucker”
Shall the City of Tucker be authorized to directly provide road construction and maintenance including curbs, sidewalks, street-lights, devices to control the flow of traffic, and stormwater management rather than rely upon DeKalb County to provide such services on its behalf and to levy and collect ad valorem property tax at a millage rate not to exceed 3 mills simultaneous with the ending of the collection of DeKalb County road and transportation special district ad valorem property tax?

Key Dates to Remember:

For more information and to read frequently asked questions, visit tuckerga.gov/publicworks.

Read the original post on TuckerGA.gov.