Yes is Not a Plan

A local blogger recently posted a column titled, “NO is not a plan”.  The unfortunate reality for him and other supporters of cityhood is that YES is not a plan.  

Over the last few months that column's author and others have waxed poetic about the possible positive effects of incorporation.  But none of it actually constitutes a plan. They started out telling us there would be a 1 mil tax increase.  When that didn’t go over well with the populace, they changed to telling us there might be a tax increase up to 1 mil.  And most recently that has changed to there might not be a tax increase at all, we can probably fund the city on franchise fees alone. Doesn’t sound like much of a plan to me. 

The reality is that their ‘plan’ is the charter which lays the framework for a full fledged city. When people run for mayor and council positions, they will present their ‘plans’ (hopefully within the confines of the charter) but the city itself will already be a fait accompli. That’s not a plan, that’s a hope. 

By contrast, a vote NO carries some known outcomes.  If you vote NO there will be no mayor and no councilpersons who can raise your taxes, up to 1 mil or any other amount.  If you vote NO there will be no mayor and no councilpersons who can collect, spend or raise the franchise fees you pay on your utilities.  If you vote NO there will be no city manager collecting a six figure salary.  If you vote NO there will be no contract code enforcement officers riding around looking for stuff to fine people over and no municipal court to enforce their citations. 

If you vote NO, after the election we can focus this re-invigorated community spirit on our county leadership and work to get them doing what we elected them for, instead of trying to replace them at a city level.  Like it or not Peachtree Corners is part of Gwinnett County and part of the metro Atlanta area, and it will continue to prosper in that context if it doesn’t isolate itself by becoming a city. For more on a vision for Peachtree Corners I invite all to read today’s Gwinnett Forum.

Posted By: Bob

Still Undecided? Nine Things to Consider

1) Your Taxes will definitely be higher.  Based on the feasibility study, that we are now supposed to ignore, the average homeowner in Peachtree Corners will pay several hundred dollars in additional taxes and fees for goods and services we already pay for and receive from the county.

2) Your Trash Hauler's rate from the city likely wont be any less than you are paying now, since the YES side anounced they have no idea if they can get it cheaper or not.

3) No one can Annex your property unless you have 2 agreeing parties. This is Georgia Law. If Norcross wanted to annex Peachtree Corners, they would have done it back in the 80'-90's when this area's technology boom was happening.

4) Code enforcement will be outsourced to a company that compensates their employees on a commission basis. If modeled after the other surrounding cities, it will be a primary source of revenue for the new city, and a nightmare to all residents. Ask some friends in John's Creek and Berkeley Lake.

5) Property values will still be based on economic conditions. Until the economy improves we will not see a change.

6) No one on the Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee stands to gain anything financial, The other side cannot say that. The proposed salaries have already gone up and we haven't even gone to the polls yet. What will happen if they are elected?

7) The Charter allows the new city to impose additional taxes, assesments, and other fees, without going to a vote to the taxpayers. It's all in the Charter and feasibility study (that they want you to ignore).

8) Our community leaders definition of "self determination" is for their own self, not yours.  As Thomas Jefferson warned, "It is the nature of government to grow."  Before the election, they talk of "self determination" after the election it will be "selfish determination".    

9) Voting "NO" is not only an option, it's a right.   It's your choice, it's your right.   Exercise your right.

Posted By: Louie

12 Myths and 3 Facts About the New City of Peachtree Corners

In discussing the pros and cons of Peachtree Corners becoming a city, residents have given many reasons for and against becoming an incorporated city. But how many of these are not valid reasons for becoming a city?

Myth #1. “We will have more police protection.” - Not true. Fire and police protection will remain the responsibility of Gwinnett County, as they always have. Unless residents vote later to take responsibility for police protection, and vote themselves taxes 5 to 6 or more times the projected city rate of 1.0 mills, this will not change.

Myth #2. “We can have Peachtree Corners as a mailing address.”- If you live in 30092, you can do that now. In fact the post office is in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

Myth 3. “I will vote for it because of the schools and the kids.” - Becoming a city has nothing to do with schools or children. Gwinnett County will continue to provide public education, as they do in every city except Buford which has always had its own school system.

Myth #4. “More sidewalks.” - Not true. Roads and sidewalks will continue to be handled by Gwinnett County.

Myth #5. “It will keep the taxes down.” - Not true. Taxes will be raised not only for property taxes, but ad valorem on cars as well, plus franchise fees and a 2% tax on power bills, which we do not have now.

Myth #6. “It will keep out development and businesses we don’t want.” - This is nebulous and debatable. Zoning in place cannot change and current county zoning is totally adequate.

Myth #7.“It will raise our home values.” - Pure speculation. The economy, the home itself and location determine home prices.

Myth #8. “Voting No is no option. - Of course it is.

Myth #9. “Peachtree Corners will disappear if we are not a city.” - Of course not.

Myth #10. “Vacant buildings will fill up.” - Really. How would this happen?

Myth #11. “We will be annexed into Norcross.” - Not unless a majority of residents vote to do this.

Myth #12. “We will get away from Gwinnett County.” - Not true. Gwinnett County will continue to provide all services except planning and zoning, trash collection and code enforcement. County taxes will not go down.

Now, let’s look at the facts.

Fact #1. “Taxes will go up.” - VoteYes supporters admit this. City taxes are zero now and can be raised. The tax on power bills is zero now - it will go to 2%. Franchise and business license fees can and will be raised. Ad valorem taxes on vehicles will be raised.

Fact #2. “Another layer of government will be added.” - What is another layer of government if not a mayor, city council and dozens of city employees.

Fact # 3. “We don’t need a city.” - We don’t need a city because Gwinnett County performs all the services the new city would perform, with no increase in taxes.

Become an informed voter. Read the facts, and ignore the myths.

Posted By - The Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee