Key DeKalb Lawmaker Doubtful on Cityhood Legislation in 2014
Several neighborhood groups in DeKalb County want to become cities. However, the chair of DeKalb’s legislative delegation is doubtful cityhood legislation will pass this year.
State Rep. Howard Mosby made the comments during a break from an open meeting between county residents and the DeKalb legislative delegation.
“I think that it is extremely complicated that I think us coming up with a great solution in the short time period between now and the end of legislative session will be difficult at best,” said Mosby.
There are at least four separate cityhood movements within DeKalb. Three of the groups – Lakeside, Tucker, and Briarcliff – want to incorporate parts of central DeKalb and another – Stonecrest – wants to set up a city in south DeKalb.
Many cityhood proponents argue the county government is bloated and unresponsive.
Meanwhile, opponents counter new cities would hurt DeKalb, cutting off key tax bases and leaving those remaining in the county worse off.
Another significant issue is there has been no coordination between the cityhood groups, so the proposals include overlapping boundaries.
Mary Kay Woodworth, who heads the Lakeside city group, says she’s more than willing to coordinate with the other groups if it means getting a bill passed this year.
“I feel very strongly that if we don’t make this happen and create a new city or cities this session that it is not going to get done.”
Woodworth fears an effort to pass legislation making it harder to incorporate is picking up steam among state lawmakers.
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