Peachtree Corners – The Real Facts about the Growth of Services

Here is another misconception, that the city will grow services easily and that all kinds of extra “stuff” will be added.

“The proposed city does have a limited number of services it will offer to start.  But the charter allows for easy growth beyond that.  It discusses buying buildings and land, creating parks, hiring personnel, and entering into contracts as the officers deem necessary.  In fact the feasibility study anticipates the need to create a municipal court, hire a judge, and provide infrastructure to hear cases under the new city power of code enforcement.  The study states that most municipal courts derive only 2-4% of revenues from code enforcement fines so to cover operating cost of the court additional jurisdiction would need to be granted.  Ask yourself a simple question about our community—Are there massive problems with the maintenance or aesthetics of property that can only be solved through a new city bureaucracy and guys writing tickets or making arrests?”

Let’s break this down point by point.

The proposed city does have a limited number of services it will offer to start. 

That is true.

But the charter allows for easy growth beyond that.

If they are referring to services, like Police or Parks and Recreation, that is false. The City Council has to vote to present a referendum to the citizens of the city. That referendum than must pass in a vote. Plus, if that service requires an increase in the millage rate, the charter must be amended and submitted to the legislature for approval. It is not easy to grow the services.

It discusses buying buildings and land, creating parks, hiring personnel, and entering into contracts as the officers deem necessary.

The charter, in listing powers, enumerates all the powers a city can exercise. However, our powers are limited by the three services we will provide: Planning and zoning, Code Compliance and Solid Waste Disposal. With that premise, we can address the remaining points.

The city will be able to buy buildings and land. It is anticipated that all we would need is office space and an area to hold City Council meetings. There is ample space available for lease. No need to buy anything.

The city is not authorized to provide parks under the three services, so unless the voters choose to add parks to the authorized services, we cannot create parks.

The city can hire personnel to carry out the tasks required to provide the services. Any city can do that. We are no different. You cannot provide services without personnel. The feasibility study calls for a full time city manager and part-time clerk. The remainder would likely be contracted out to allow for flexibility and reduce overhead.

Entering into contracts is a standard power and is required in order to run the city services, like contracting with a trash hauler.

In fact the feasibility study anticipates the need to create a municipal court, hire a judge, and provide infrastructure to hear cases under the new city power of code enforcement.  The study states that most municipal courts derive only 2-4% of revenues from code enforcement fines so to cover operating cost of the court additional jurisdiction would need to be granted.

We do not need to “create” a municipal court or hire a judge in order to hear code enforcement cases. This can be handled by contracting with a neighboring municipality or even the county. We set the standards, we identify the issues and the cases are heard in existing courts. Sandy Springs, a full service city, only holds municipal court two or three days a week. We may need to contract for a day or two a month, maybe less after the initial violation list is taken care of. Our municipal court will generate 100% of its revenue from Code Compliance cases. The feasibility study indicated that the court would be self-funded. No need to grant “additional jurisdiction”.

Are there massive problems with the maintenance or aesthetics of property that can only be solved through a new city bureaucracy and guys writing tickets or making arrests?

There are not massive problems yet. But we need to act now to prevent them. Many areas of Peachtree Corners are beginning to go into decline. The area along Holcomb Bridge Road used to be bustling and vibrant. Sturbridge Square used to be a good place to live. By brining these areas into the city boundaries, we can prevent further decline and begin improve those areas that need it. With Code Compliance, arrests are very rare and generally only for contempt of court.

So city services are not easy to add. Many of the powers listed are required to provide the services. Those powers not required to provide services cannot be exercised. We do not need to create a municipal court or hire a judge in order to prosecute Code Compliance violations.