Jim Baskett – Decatur Metro – Local News, Real Estate, Business News

Mayor Jim Baskett Will Not Seek Reelection in the Fall

I asked Mayor Baskett earlier today whether he would seek reelection in the fall. Here is his reply to us…

Nick, I do not plan to seek reelection. I have had the great honor of serving on the City Commission since 1996. It is time to pursue other opportunities and make room for those who are eager to serve.

I am extremely grateful for all the support I’ve enjoyed from the voters, my colleagues on the Commission and our city staff. I love this city and will always be proud to say that I live in Decatur, Ga.

Decatur Commission Set To Vote On $75M School Bond Referendum Tonight

After many months of community discussion, the Decatur City Commission will take up the School Board’s request tonight to place the request for a $75 million GO bond on the November 3rd ballot to build more schools to accommodate growing student enrollment.

Decatur School Board Chair, Garrett Goebel, submitted this formal request to Mayor Jim Baskett…

Dear Mayor Baskett:

Please accept this formal letter asking that you place the request of a 75 million dollar bond on the November ballot. The School Board has reviewed a myriad of information over a period of 20 months. We have come to the understanding and decision that in order to meet the growing student population projections; we must ask the voters for their approval of a General Obligation Bond.

We are comfortable that we have provided you with the information necessary. We are also pleased that various results indicate that 90% of the survey respondents recognize and are aware of the needs of the school system.

The Superintendent has been working with our financial advisor, Dianne McNabb, and the Bond Attorney, Terri Fin nester. Attached to this letter you will find the appropriate documentation.

The Board is asking that the Commission take up this action on June 1, 2015.

Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Meeting starts at 7:30p this evening. You can tune in for the live broadcast HERE or check it out on Comcast channel 25.

Mayor Jim Baskett Releases Statement on Fate of Decatur Legislation

JimBaskett The City just released this statement from Mayor Jim Baskett regarding Decatur’s legislative efforts this session.

The City of Decatur is appreciative of the efforts of Representative Karla Drenner and State Senator Elena Parent to move forward with part of the overall Decatur Annexation Master Plan. Regretfully, HB 663 was not successful during the 2015 legislative session. It is our understanding that opposition from neighborhoods in the City of Atlanta annexation plan and concerns about potential lost revenue to the DeKalb County School System resulted in the bill not receiving consideration in the Georgia Senate. During the remainder of 2015, the Decatur City Commission will assess how, or if, we want to move forward on annexation issues in 2016.

In addition, the Decatur City Commission had also supported legislation to increase homestead exemptions for City of Decatur taxes. We are highly disappointed that property tax relief for our taxpayers, particularly for low and moderate income seniors was defeated in the Georgia House of Representatives. Adoption of the proposed legislation would have made a real difference in the lives of our seniors by providing over $1,100 of annual tax savings. The Decatur City Commission will try again in 2016 to secure reconsideration of the legislation by the General Assembly.

Mayor Jim Baskett Comments on Decatur Annexation Legislation

After we learned a few more details yesterday of the partial Decatur annexation legislation submitted by Georgia State Rep. Karla Drenner on Monday, we followed up for reaction from the Decatur City Commission to get their thoughts on the partial annexation and the new inclusion of the neighboring residential neighborhood of Decatur Terrace.

Decatur Mayor Jim Baskett responded this morning…

A lot is happening with our legislative agenda, and decisions are being made very quickly.
We did not have the option of moving forward with our overall map and plan.
The map that is before the legislature now has a great deal of commercial and is a large part of what we set out to annex.
Going forward we will see where we are at the end of this legislative session and determine how we will move forward with the rest of the plan. An updated annexation master plan report will be available after the session is over.

Commissioner Patti Garrett echoed the Mayor’s statements and emphasized that “we were unable to move forward with our original map but still have a significant amount of commercial property included and Representative Drenner requested the addition of Decatur Terrace.” She added “I think we have all been made keenly aware that the legislative process for getting annexation considered is a complicated and complex process.”

I’m going to see if its possible to get a commercial/residential breakdown of the current partial annexation area. Stay tuned.