New City Means An Opportunity to Reinvest in Our Community

During my tenure as the Financial Analyst for the City of Dunwoody, I realized that a customer-focused and efficient local government could coexist with the residents it serves. I know first hand the people who serve the community both on the streets and in city hall make a daily commitment to provide the utmost level of customer service. Like my colleagues, I took pride in my responsibilities to serve the community.

I believe that the DeKalb County Government is broken and consistently proves that it does not have the will to fix itself. The 2011 Report to Stakeholders admits to the crisis it faces and states that “the 2011 budget was pivotal,” however, the reality remains that, “expenses continued to rise by $39 million.” 

However, I want to be clear that creating a city does not mean we are leaving the county. The majority of your property tax bill will remain with the county. Rather, the taxes that are generated in Brookhaven, such as business and alcohol licenses, will remain in our community and will be reinvested in it.

Our neighboring cities have engaged their citizens in a symbiotic way. Their service is personalized, processes are streamlined, information is readily accessible, and voices rarely go unheard. Additionally, greater cost and performance efficiencies are realized utilizing the private sector.

We have one opportunity to take ownership of how we want to be governed and the time is now to take action. Let’s create the community we are all a part of - Brookhaven!

Russell Mitchell is a resident of the Drew Valley neighborhood in Brookhaven and a Board Member of Brookhaven Yes.