Comments on: CSD Workgroup Recommends Opposing Proposed Annexation Areas

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:42:53 +0000

+1 If it wasn’t for the reasonably-sized, good quality, neighborhood schools in Decatur, the great teachers, and the warm, friendly school community, we’d be long gone out of Georgia. Everytime I’ve looked longingly towards mountains or ocean, my kids have insisted that they are Decatur born, bred, and loyal. Families drawn to the Decatur school environment may be revenue neutral but they definitely helped hold up the property values in Decatur during this past recession. The role of schools and family homeowners in Decatur’s economic/political stability is complex and not trivial.

By: Judd

Judd — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:50:18 +0000

In my opinion, the role of CSD in maintaining proprty values moves it into the category of serving all Decatur households. That is a big deal these last few years. Higher property values also helps put money in the City’s coffers, so they are no doubt grateful too.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:56:49 +0000

I am subject to an expert chiming in here, but I don’t think Decatur is treated any differently from any other City in DeKalb or Georgia as regards this issue. As a matter of fact, Decatur does get direct sales tax revenue from the education SPLOST. And, with the recent Georgia Supreme Court ruling, Decatur now does get its share of the HOST sales tax revenue. You might want to contact Andrea Arnold at the City to get a definitive statement.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:52:05 +0000

Georgia law says that people who live in an area that potentially would be annexed can vote on whether or not they want to be annexed. Commercial property owners do not have the opportunity to vote (witness the recent annexation along College Ave). People who already are in an incorporated area that proposes to annex another, unincorporated, area (i.e. current residents of COD) do not have a direct vote on the annexation issue.

By: EcoNuke

EcoNuke — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 04:22:46 +0000

Thanks. I knew it was coming – just didn’t know it had already happened. 4A is on the horizon. If 5A happens, one solution would be to have students storm the Callaway building and take the property from the county by force! For the needed expansion.