It’s about time someone at the local leadership level took action in the public’s best interest.
DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis has requested the county’s development authority to delay a decision on awarding $52 million in tax abatements to an out-of-town developer working on the next big mixed-use park in northeast Atlanta. For more details, see the AJC’s coverage by Ty Tagami here.
Although the final decision remains uncertain, Ellis’ leadership is a welcome, albeit late, effort. However, the system itself still seems out of sync with what’s needed today. This situation highlights how slow the metro Atlanta politico-business complex has been in adapting to the new economic landscape.
A Closer Look at DeKalb’s Governance Issues
Stagnant Governance
Effective governance in DeKalb County still feels stuck in the past, with little indication of any meaningful reform. The members of the DeKalb Development Authority (DDA) are appointed by the governor, meaning that a vote on a $52 million tax break could happen without any input or accountability from locally elected officials. This setup opens the door for personal interests to influence decisions, with no real checks or balances.Lack of Development Experience
The DeKalb Development Authority’s board is made up of political appointees, not experienced professionals pushing for real change. Take a look at the board members here. The chairman and vice-chair lack any background in development—so what qualifies them to lead the authority?Outdated Economic Projections
Traditional economic impact models are no longer effective, especially in a downturn. When the economy struggles, large new projects often drain resources from existing businesses. Projections about job creation and economic impact fail to consider how much money is diverted from local businesses that contribute to the tax base. While some well-managed projects can revitalize communities, this particular development doesn’t seem to meet that standard.
The Need for Responsible Economic Planning
Let’s be clear—we all want businesses that are willing to relocate and hire local workers, particularly with the state’s unemployment rate at a record high. But that doesn’t justify handing out large tax breaks or offering 100% tax relief. Especially now, with public funds being stretched so thin, it’s essential to understand exactly where that money is going and what it’s actually supporting.
A Solution: A Revenue-Matching Program
Here’s a suggestion to help balance the Sembler project: What if there were a revenue-matching program? For every dollar the development generates, a portion (say, $0.25 or $0.50) could be directed toward educational programs, such as teaching materials or after-school programs for K-12 students in DeKalb County schools.
Politicians will likely dismiss this as impractical or unworkable, but someone needs to ask: Why not? If there was ever a time for public leadership to put money where it matters, it’s now.