Municipal Option Sales Tax on February Ballot
On the upcoming February 5 presidential primary ballot, Atlanta residents will have the opportunity to reauthorize the municipal option sales tax (MOST) - a tool the City uses to keep water and sewer rates low while financing the replacement of Atlanta’s water and sewer systems.
The MOST allows the City to spread the financing of the $3.9 billion Clean Water Atlanta program to visitors and business travelers who use Atlanta’s infrastructure, but do not pay City water/sewer bills. The City estimates that 40 percent of MOST revenues is provided by tourists, visitors and commuters.
The MOST adds 1 cent to Atlanta’s tax rate, so most products purchased inside the city limits are taxed a total of 8 percent. Exceptions include items such as school lunches, medical equipment like eyeglasses and wheelchairs, prescription medication, sales to Grady Hospital and other non-profit health care facilities, food purchased with WIC coupons and automobiles.
Atlanta voters approved the MOST by a 3-to-1 margin in July 2004. From October 2004 through October 2007, the MOST generated more than $332 million, including interest, money that was designated specifically to roll back projected water rate increases.
MOST revenue is used to provide a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the rate increases necessary to fund Clean Water Atlanta, which is scheduled to continue through 2014. The program is currently at the half-way mark, and has successfully met 54 federal consent decrees on time and under budget. The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) estimates the program is on track to be complete before the federal deadline.
Atlanta’s new water/sewer infrastructure improvements continue to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors. To date, the City has installed 67 miles of new water mains, separated 33 miles of combined sewers, evaluated 134 miles of sewer pipe and rehabilitated 33.3 miles of sewers. Annual sewer spills have reduced by 70 percent.
If the MOST passes, Atlanta’s in-City tax rate will remain at 8 percent for an additional four years.
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City Agency Offers Specialized Workforce Training to African American Males
The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) is actively recruiting African American males ages 25-29 for “Pursuit of Excellence” a free, four-week, training program that will assist them with employment and workforce development.
AWDA will select 10 men to receive job readiness training, mentoring and job placement assistance. Professional wardrobes will be provided by Russell Simmons. Each man will receive a $500 stipend, MARTA pass and free breakfast and lunch on class days. One outstanding participant will receive $2500 at the completion of the program.
Criteria to participate includes a high school diploma or GED; no criminal background; drug-free; ability to participate Monday thru Thursday 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. beginning January 28 - February 26; and a commitment to completing the program. Funds to administer this program are being provided by public-private partners. This pilot program is also being offered in Chicago.
"We are excited about the employment prospects that this program will provide for these young men. This experience will open doors for them to be able to create new job opportunities, improve their self-esteem, and will raise awareness of their own power to become self-sufficient," said Deborah Lum, AWDA executive director.
If you are interested in participating in this exciting pilot program you can apply at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency located at 818 Pollard Boulevard Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm. If you have questions please contact Jennifer Moore at JLMoore@atlantaga.gov.
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Land Acquired for New City Park: Oakland Gateway
The City of Atlanta has acquired a block of land opposite Oakland Cemetery to be used as part of a gateway corridor that will lead to the Capitol building.
The .82-acre block, envisioned along Memorial Drive, was purchased for $1.7 million. An anonymous gift of $900,000 to the Historic Oakland Foundation matched the City’s contribution, bringing the total project cost to $1.8 million. Funding for the purchase came from Park Impact Fees, Quality of Life bonds and Eastside TAD bond funds.
The Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) will serve as the City’s redevelopment agent for the larger Memorial Drive Greenway Corridor Assemblage, a seven-block project. The Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) owns several additional contiguous blocks that have been set aside for the park as part of the demolition and redevelopment of Capitol Homes into Capitol Gateway.
Because this most recent acquisition will support Historic Oakland Cemetery, it will be called Oakland Gateway Park. The remaining six blocks will compose Capitol Gateway Park, a linear greenspace connecting to the capitol. The City has also closed on two additional full blocks in the Capitol Gateway Park area.
This vision of a grand gateway to the state capitol was endorsed in the 1970s and again in 2001 as part of the City’s Memorial Drive/Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Area revitalization study. Eventually, a plaza and park would extend across the interstate from the new, mixed-use Capitol Gateway development, connecting this historically disenfranchised area to downtown Atlanta.
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City Gallery East Displays Employee Art
On Friday, the City of Atlanta hosted an awards ceremony in City Gallery East to celebrate the creative talents of employees who submitted original artwork to the National Arts Program.
For 21 years, the City has partnered with the National Arts Program Foundation to provide the opportunity for employees to display their work in a professional gallery. This year, 81 employees submitted pieces in amateur, intermediate and professional categories for judging. All art was on display in City Gallery East, located on the first floor if City Hall East.
2008 National Arts Program Winners:
- Amateur
- 3rd prize: Eddie Morrison-McBride for Suga Wuga
- 2nd prize: Manisha Kharod for March of Peace
- 1st prize: Darryl White for Trees
- Intermediate
- 3rd prize: Aida Beshah for Motherhood
- 2nd prize: Terronce Estell, Jr. for Malcolm & Elijah
- 1st prize: Armentria Favor for The Farmer
- Professional
- 3rd prize: Marise Fransolina for Tea Pot
- 2nd prize: Eddie Granderson for Black & Gray
- 1st prize: Etienne Jackson for Disc 1
- People’s Choice: McKenzie Ewing
- Best of Show: Freddie Styles
Bernard Porche, vice president of B and E Jackson Engineering, views art on display at City Gallery East.
Manisha V. Kharod, 2nd place winner Amateur March of Peace.
Etienne Jackson 1st Place winner Professional Disc One.
McKenzie Ewing People’s Choice Award Destruction of Man.
Armentria Favor first place winner Intermediate The Farmer. |