The Dunwoody Charter Commission chose not to reconsider its recommendation for funding possible future city fire and emergency services at its meeting Wednesday evening. The recommendation includes a millage rate cap for fire and emergency services, but no requirement for a public vote if the City Council and Mayor choose to exceed that cap.
About 50 people packed the small meeting room on Wednesday night to show their concern about issues they feel need to be addressed in the city's charter. Many of the citizens were there to have their public vote included in the commission's recommended amendment for future city fire and emergency services funding, Section 1.03 (37)(b).
Section 1.03(37)(a-b) read:
(A) The millage rate imposed for ad valorem taxes on real property shall not exceed 3.04 unless a higher limit is recommended by resolution of the city council and approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the City of Dunwoody voting on the issue;
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A) above, the Mayor and City Council can impose a millage rate higher than 3.04 solely to provide for those services the City wishes to provide that are currently being provided for the City through a levy of a Special District Tax by DeKalb County at a rate not to exceed the average rate over the preceeding three (3) years prior to the cutover of the service.
Merry Carmichael, who has lived in Dunwoody for 35 years, said during the meeting's public comment period,
"We are smart enough to know that if Dunwoody wanted a fire department, this Council should have been building a war chest for that purpose, so as to avoid heavy debt and to instill confidence from the citizens that there will be sufficient funds, but they continually refuse to curtail spending."
An overview of what the commission said were frequently asked questions was provided on Thursday night. The FAQ overview included answers to questions like, "What is a Special Tax District?"
The commission members also decided to defer discussion of the charter's fifth article, the finance and fiscal sections, until its July 31 meeting. During that meeting, the charter commission plans to also discuss the charter's final article.
The remaining meetings will involve discussions and possible recommendations for new amendments that should be included in the city's charter.
Check back with Dunwoody Patch Friday for more coverage of the July 17 Dunwoody Charter Commission meeting.
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