November 20, 2003
The Honorable Karen Handel
Fulton County Board of Commissioners
141 Pryor Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
Dear Chairman Handel:
We appreciated the opportunity to present to the Board of Commissioners and to provide you with additional information regarding Atlanta’s Clean Water Program. As you may know, this program was thoroughly reviewed by esteemed individuals with extensive expertise who sat on the Clough Advisory Panel, as well as The Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers whose own experts examined the plans, the Environmental Protection Agency and EPD. Additionally, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Group, numerous other business organizations as well as thousands of Atlantans support this plan and have submitted requests to federal, state, and Fulton County officials asking for help in paying for these required upgrades.
Understanding that, prior to their vote on the resolution concerning Atlanta’s water and sewer program, Commissioners did not have sufficient time to fully review and reflect on the comprehensive material I brought, including the extensive communication between the County and the City, I stand ready to answer any additional questions that may arise.
Unfortunately, not knowing about the resolution before my presentation, I was not able to share with you specific information that could have allayed any concerns you may have about the program.
The County Commission should do for Atlanta what other counties have done for cities in positions similar to Atlanta’s-allow citizens to determine how they want to fund water and sewer improvements by being permitted to cast a vote on a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum.
I urge your favorable consideration of any future resolution that would allow voters to choose the funding option of a SPLOST on March 2, 2004.
Sincerely,
Shirley Franklin
SF/zg
cc: Members, Fulton County Board of Commissioners
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