St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and March Madness office pools will generate more enthusiasm than Tuesday’s referendum on Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s proposed $250 million bond issue to fund city infrastructure projects.
Low voter turnout is expected for Reed’s plan to raise nearly $188 million for transportation projects and around $64 million for municipal facilities, all without increasing taxes. The mayor says the plan will let the city get a jump on an infrastructure backlog of more than $900 million.
While few dispute the need to repave streets, replace aging bridges and improve recreation centers and fire stations, the program has drawn opposition. Common Cause of Georgia Executive Director William Perry in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed article Monday urged a no vote, citing a number of questionable city financial dealings in the past.
Perry pointed out that while the city has held public hearings and compiled a list of possible projects for the bond issue, the Atlanta City Council won’t make the final decision until April on what work will be included.
“Your vote will authorize the funds being raised, but it does not guarantee that certain projects – even the ones discussed at informational meetings held on the issue – will be selected or fully funded,” Perry said.
Reed in a corresponding op-ed article in support of the bond issue said it will resurface major roads and upgrade curbs, sidewalks, bike lanes, crossing signals and wheelchair ramps. Drivers frustrated by frequent red lights will welcome the synchronization of thousands of traffic signals.
Police stations and rec centers are to be improved, and street signals replaced. According to the preliminary project list, safety flashers will be installed at school crosswalks. The mayor, citing a $138 million city surplus, said the principal and 5.4 percent interest rate would be paid through annual budget savings, making a tax increase unnecessary. He cited budget reductions suggested by the blue ribbon commission on waste and efficiency in government, such as selling Underground Atlanta and the Civic Center. The initial project list and other information can be found on the city’s web site.
Perry presented a litany of fiscal controversies under Reed, such as the $13 million owed Atlanta public schools for the Beltline. He also cited $1.4 billion in public funding for the new Falcons stadium. The leader of the public interest nonprofit group pointed out that the bond issue will last 30 years, with no guarantee that the city won’t some day have to raise taxes to make payments.
According to the city web site, upgrading traffic signals will cost the most, $41 million. Roadway resurfacing carries a $26 million price tag, with $34 million for other street enhancements such as bike lanes, $29 million for bridges, and $5 million to meet requirements of the American Disabilities Act.
The police would receive $3 million for its video integration center and more anti-crime cameras; $18 million would be spent on parks and recreation centers, and $11 million set aside for municipal facilities. Public art programs would receive $12 million.
In addition to those “citywide projects,” the program allocates $52 million for local transportation projects and $19 million for local municipal facilities. That money would be spent in individual council districts. If approved, the work could begin by July 1.
Legislature takes a break: After last week’s busy crossover day, the Legislature is catching its breath before going back into session Wednesday. The Senate will hold two committee meetings Tuesday, and will have full committee schedules Wednesday and Thursday. The Senate Transportation Committee, expected to unveil the Senate transportation spending plan this week, will meet Tuesday and Wednesday.
The light House committee schedule includes the House Education Committee’s hearing Wednesday on Senate Bill 133 and Senate Resolution 187, which would launch Gov. Nathan Deal’s Opportunity School District, empowered to take over persistently failing schools. SR 187 would call for a vote on the proposed constitutional amendment, and SB 133 set up the structural details.
