I applaud the hard work of staff, the persistent examination by the City Council, and the resolute determination of the community in forging ahead to do the right thing for our City. After analysis and debate, numbers crunching, discussion and many rounds of weighing options, a water and sewer rate program was adopted unanimously by the City Council under the leadership of Council President Cathy Woolard.

The program that passed provides adequate funding for operating and maintenance costs, and over the five-year program exceeds minimum debt coverage requirements. The City is on target to catch up on decades of neglect, and to rebuild the financial stability of the water-sewer utility.

We will continue to work to pursue additional funding from federal, state and local revenues.

With this vote, we are on track to ensure Atlanta’s economic vitality, providing cleaner water and reaffirming our commitment to protecting public health as responsible stewards of our environment.

With this vote, we will be able to meet the deadlines of the program and all EPA and EPD consent decrees and court orders. Job opportunities and growth look bright. The majority of the City Council recognized that this investment is essential to the economic well being of the city and that it corrects decades of disregard.

With this vote, we have the credibility to make the case to other governmental entities as we seek new funding. I pledge to work with the Council to identify new funding that will allow us to roll back rate increases.

Congratulations to everyone who worked to understand the options and who supported a solution of fiscal accountability, environmental stewardship, and legal responsibility.

With this vote, we have stepped up and together taken responsibility for our future. Let the work begin!

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