DUNWOODY, Ga. — Residents took to the microphone Nov. 13 to tell the Dunwoody City Council that lack of communication helped doom a bond referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot.
The bond referendum, which would have raised $60 million for construction of parks, trails and greenspace, failed at the polls by a 57-43 margin.
As a result, some capital improvement projects in line for bond financing may be postponed or eliminated.
The Village Crossroads on Chamblee Dunwoody Road, continuance of the Winters Chapel multi-use trail and Wildcat Park will require other funding mechanisms, which could mean projects are delayed and will carry a higher price tag.
Dunwoody resident Ali Mahbod told councilmembers the Nov. 7 election reflects the public’s confidence in the City Council’s work since the COVID-19 pandemic because all incumbents were re-elected to new terms.
“For most of us, we understand that with the resources, the information you have and the current climate, you are doing a good job,” Mahbod said. “That stated, the bond referendum in the recent election did fail.”
While Mahbod said the progress at High Street and management of the COVID-19 pandemic were positive signs of leadership, he said there was significant confusion surrounding the city’s general obligation bond referendum.
Tom Taylor, a former Dunwoody City Councilman and former state representative, said the bond referendum failed because communication was “terrible” and there was no specificity about the projects.
“It’s a lack of trust, and I think that comes mostly from staff, not from council,” Taylor said. “When you say, ‘we are going to do this, this and this,’ and you don’t, it fails.”
While Mahbod said he still wants the City Council to pursue trails and connectivity even without bond money, Taylor said he is glad it failed.
There was not an action…
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