Three proposed new cities in DeKalb County have been declared viable by independent studies, but which new municipality has the momentum and backing to go the distance – Briarcliff, Lakeside or Tucker?
Yesterday, residents gathered in Tucker to hear the results of a feasibility study conducted by the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. The study indicates that the City of Tucker would be financially feasible, viable and sustainable. Briarcliff and Lakeside cityhood initiatives have conducted similar studies and received the same results as Tucker. Ultimately, it will come down to a legislative vote.
Highlights of the Tucker study:
- Annual revenue of approximately $16.6 million and annual expenses of approximately $13.3 million
- A surplus of approximately $3.3 million
- No property tax increase
- A balanced mix of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public properties ensuring an equitable tax base
- An estimated ratio of approximately 7,000 citizens per city council member; 93 percent decrease in the current 100,000 plus citizens per County Commissioner
“Tucker has dozens of active civic and citizen groups already fully engaged in the services being proposed initially for the city,” said Tucker 2014 President Sonja Szubski. “This means that Tucker can hit the ground running from day one with local expertise that allows the city to standup on a solid foundation. As the city moves forward, the community can determine if there are additional services to be added such as public works and public safety that make sense both fiscally and effectively.”
Read the full Tucker feasibility study at this link.