Introduction and Questions

Community Improvement Districts work to create accessible, livable urban communities through infrastructure improvements, road construction and maintenance, development and maintenance of landscaping and green space, mobility-focused transit studies and programs, and security measures to improve safety for residents and visitors.

CIDs are funded by assessments on commercial real estate within a district, and that funding supplements public and private projects to increase property value and attract new business.

We are interested in learning your position on several issues that currently affect CIDs and the future of development and growth in metro Atlanta.  Please take the following survey, which should take less than 15 minutes to complete.  Please complete the survey by noon May 12, 2020.

We intend to distribute the results of this survey to our membership and our mailing lists, and may publish the results in local media outlets.

Thank you.
TOPIC 1 BACKGROUND:  Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank
The Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) is a grant and low-interest loan program administered by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA). GTIB increases the viability for projects limited by traditional funding sources, and advances and accelerates projects with a strong match component that is provided by CIDs and local governments that apply for funds.

Since inception, GTIB has provided over $125 million in grants and loans to transportation infrastructure projects that have enhanced mobility and driven economic development in communities throughout Georgia, resulting in $770 million in total transportation investments. GTIB invests in projects that demonstrate a high degree of local commitment and include innovative solutions, and are awarded on a competitive basis to county and city governments, CIDs and certain state government entities. Projects funded by GTIB must be motor fuel tax eligible and have included improvements to public roads and bridges and associated bike, pedestrian and traffic control infrastructure.  GTIB funds may be used for preliminary engineering, right of way and/or construction costs. Community improvement Districts throughout metro Atlanta have received GTIB awards for a wide range of projects.  This program is funded through an annual appropriation of motor fuel funds by the General Assembly.

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* 1. GTIB has demonstrated positive results for Georgia taxpayers and played a significant role in many CID transportation priorities. Provided that funds are available once the economy recovers following the COVID-19 pandemic's effects, would you commit to increase funding for this program from its most recent level of $13 million up to at least $25 million?

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* 2. It appears that COVID-19 will decrease sales tax income and could decrease the value of the property tax base resulting in decreased revenue for all state and county governments in 2021.  How would you handle a 15% to 20% budget decrease in your first year in office?

TOPIC 2 BACKGROUND: Transportation
The provision of transit services in metro Atlanta has long been a topic of policy discussion. In 2018, the General Assembly created the ATL (Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority) to coordinate transit planning in the region, working with transit operators like MARTA, CobbLinc, Gwinnett County Transit and others to create a more connected network of mobility options and enhance the customer experience.

The ATL is also designed to coordinate transit funding, distributing federal formula funds and recommending transit projects for potential state investment. The ATL’s first regional transit plan showed $27 billion in transit investment is needed in the metro area for expansion projects as well as to maintain the infrastructure already existing. These expansion projects include new rail, bus rapid transit, local and express bus and micro-mobility options.

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* 3. How important is solving Georgia's transportation issues on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being extremely important?

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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 4. Should the primary funding source for transportation be a state or local decision? Please explain.

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* 5. If additional funds are available for transportation in Georgia, how would you like to see those funds allocated?

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* 6. Do you prefer Bus Rapid Transit or rail of some kind (light rail or heavy rail)? Please explain.

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* 7. Should the state or local jurisdictions pay for upgrading traffic signal installations to improve traffic flow?

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* 8. Should the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) spend additional funding on better roadway maintenance or vehicle capacity building?

TOPIC 3: GENERAL FUNDING QUESTIONS

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* 9. Should the existing 1% ESPLOST funds be available for traffic improvements on local or state routes caused by school growth/expansion?

TOPIC 4 BACKGROUND: Government Leadership
DeKalb County is the only county in Georgia with a CEO functioning separately from its county commission.  Georgia's other 158 counties have an elected commission chaired by a Chairman who is elected countywide.  The other 158 counties have an easily understood single chain of command.

DeKalb essentially has two chains of command; one with the Executive Department under the CEO and another with the Commissioners.  In past county administrations it has been confusing to get decisions when two chains of command are involved.  Often, in the past, there was confusion about who had the final control over business-related decisions.

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* 10. What is your opinion about legislating that DeKalb move to a commission chairman form of county management?

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* 11. Please fill out your name and e-mail.

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