Dunwoody Ballot Initiatives

The City of Dunwoody will elect a new Mayor and fill three City Council (at large) positions on November 8.

In addition, Dunwoody voters will decide whether or not to approve two $33 million, 30 year bonds, one to purchase land for parks and the other to fund park improvements.

Many voters will oppose these bonds, because passage of both bonds would result in a $128 million debt for a $20 million revenue city. Assuming interest is 5% on the unpaid balance, we opponents say the $62 million in debt interest would go into the paper shredder. We prefer improving existing parks over time and in budget. Others object to the Parks Plans current content or lack of specifics.

In a third ballot item, voters will decide whether or not to give the city council Redevelopment Powers. The language on the ballot is as follows:

City of Dunwoody Redevelopment Referendum
Should the act be approved authorizing the City of Dunwoody to exercise redevelopment powers authorized by the Redevelopment Powers Act, as it may be amended from time to time. (Vote Yes or No).

Unless voters do some homework on line, they will not know what this means. Normally, a city putting initiatives on a ballot will publish a detailed explanation, but in this case it has not.

Voters first need to look up the Georgia Redevelopment Powers Act on line to learn what these powers are. Then, it’s helpful to look up City of Atlanta Redevelopment agencies.

They will find that voting yes on this question authorizes the city council to establish Tax Authorizing Districts (TADs) to redevelop any property to raise that property’s taxable value.

These TADs will have expanded eminent Domain power beyond widening streets and the power to issue bonds to fund the development of these properties. Currently, the City of Dunwoody does not have this power and must go to the voters to authorize bond sales. Voters who wish to limit city debt expense would vote No.

The voters who will vote No on the Park Bonds would likely vote No on the Redevelopment Powers initiative.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody Tea Party Leader