Legislators To Discuss ‘City of DeKalb’

By Ralph Ellis for Virginia Highland/Druid Hills Patch

Some people want to create a city out of DeKalb County’s unincorporated communities.

State senators from DeKalb County will meet this week to talk about possibly forming a “City of DeKalb.”

The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 29 in room 450 at the State Capitol, CrossroadNews.com reported.

A City of DeKalb has been talked about for decades but the idea has gained new urgency because more cities are forming in DeKalb County, like Brookhaven. Those cities reduce the county government’s property tax revenue.

Here’s what some county officials said in the CrossRoads.com article:

• County Commissioner Jeff Rader: “What  would be the main street and common interest. We won’t lose  the county government. We will gain another layer of government.”

• Commissioner Lee May: “It  is not just about preserving revenue, but comprehensive planning for  the county as a whole.”

• Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton: “The  entire county planned and put investments in infrastructure and then  for a small group to take it without compensation for the county is not  fair. … We can’t let a few people destroy one of the best counties.”