InTucker Magazine

Public Works FAQ

During the November 8 General Election, City of Tucker residents will have an opportunity to vote on a public works referendum that will transition current public works services from DeKalb County to the City of Tucker.

For more information about the City of Tucker’s Public Works Referendum, visit tuckerga.gov/publicworks.

WHAT SERVICES ARE INCLUDED UNDER PUBLIC WORKS?
Public works services consist of two distinct functions: Roads & Maintenance and Stormwater services.

ROADS & MAINTENANCE SERVICES

• Transportation engineering services
• Pavement marking maintenance
• Right-of-way maintenance
• Traffic sign/signal maintenance
• Bridge maintenance
• Asphalt patching
• Sidewalk and curb repair
• Pothole repair

STORMWATER SERVICES

• Stormwater infrastructure
• Catch basin repair

NOT INCLUDED IN REFERENDUM

• Drinking/tap water
• Sanitary sewer
• Sanitation

IF THE PUBLIC WORKS REFERENDUM IS APPROVED DURING THE UPCOMING ELECTION, WHAT WOULD THE FINANCIAL COST BE TO A RESIDENT?

• An average homeowner with a property valued at $328,000 would see an increase of $94 annually for roads and maintenance services and stormwater services combined.
  – Roads & Maintenance Service Increase: $70 a year for a home valued at $328,000
  – Stormwater Service Increase: $24 a year

IF THE PUBLIC WORKS REFERENDUM IS APPROVED DURING THE UPCOMING ELECTION, WHAT IS THE TIMELINE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHANGE IN PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES?

• If residents approve the transition of public works services from DeKalb County to the City of Tucker during the November referendum, the Tucker Public Works Department would officially launch on July 7, 2023.

IF THE PUBLIC WORKS REFERENDUM IS NOT APPROVED DURING THE UPCOMING ELECTION, WHAT HAPPENS TO PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES IN THE CITY OF TUCKER?

• Nothing changes. DeKalb County will continue to maintain all public works services. Additionally, all emergency public works issues will continue to be managed by DeKalb County.

HOW WILL THE PUBLIC WORKS REFERENDUM LANGUAGE APPEAR ON MY BALLOT?
City of Tucker residents will have the opportunity to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ during the General Election time period, inclusive of advance voting, absentee voting and Election Day voting.

Transition of Public Works Services From DeKalb County to City of Tucker
Shall the City of Tucker be authorized to directly provide road construction and maintenance including curbs, sidewalks, streetlights, devices to control the flow of traffic, and stormwater management rather than rely upon DeKalb County to provide such services on its behalf and to levy and collect ad valorem property tax at a millage rate not to exceed 3 mills simultaneous with the ending of the collection of DeKalb County road and transportation special district ad valorem property tax?

WHAT WILL THE CITY OF TUCKER’S INITIAL OBJECTIVES BE IF IT LAUNCHES ITS OWN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT?

• YEAR 1 OBJECTIVES – Within the first 365 days, the City of Tucker will prioritize any deferred public works maintenance and key repair needs. Additional public works assessments will take place to determine critical needs and capital project alignment.
• YEAR 2 OBJECTIVES – After prioritization of deferred public works maintenance and key repair needs, the City of Tucker will focus on reducing service delivery times by 50% or more.

WHAT IS A “MILL” AS REFERENCED IN THE REFERENDUM AND HOW DOES IT IMPACT MY PROPERTY TAXES?

• A mill is the rate at which property owners are assessed property taxes on the taxable value of their property (40% of assessed value). l mill = $7 per $7,000 of taxable value

IF THE PUBLIC WORKS REFERENDUM IS APPROVED, WOULD I PAY BOTH DEKALB COUNTY AND THE CITY OF TUCKER FOR PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES?

• No. Similar to when Parks and Recreations services were transferred to the City, residents will no longer pay DeKalb County for the management of Public Works services.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WATER AND SEWER SERVICES AND STORMWATER SERVICES? WILL THIS REFERENDUM ADDRESS THE COUNTY’S WATER/SEWER SERVICES?

• Stormwater facilities address the impact of rain and runoff to City streets. Water and sewer services involve treated water delivered to your home or businesses and waste that leaves them.
  
  The public works services outlined do not include water and sewer related services. Those services will continue to be provided by DeKalb County.