MAYOR’S OFFICE OF
COMMUNICATIONS
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2500
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 |
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| CONTACT: |
Sandra Allen Walker, Director |
| Office |
404-330-6395 |
| Cell: |
404-925-1666 |
| E-mail: |
swalker@ci.atlanta.ga.us |
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or |
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LaChandra Butler |
| Office: |
404-330-6248 |
| Cell: |
404-886-2334 |
| E-mail: |
ldbutler@ci.atlanta.ga.us |
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December 3, 2003 |
Prepared Statement by
Mayor Shirley Franklin on the Water/Sewer Rate Increase Vote
December 2, 2003
Every citizen and taxpayer wants to know every penny is well
spent by
the City of Atlanta. This is the 23rd month of my administration
and
from day one, I have been committed to being accountable, truthful
and
transparent and to operating aboveboard. I am recognized for
having
the resolve to get tough jobs done beginning with presenting
three
balanced budgets. Today I will continue to be as open and honest
as
possible, regarding our assessment of the outcome of the City
Council
action as related to water and wastewater.
To those seven members of Council who were able to put emotions
aside
to address this very complex issue, I say thank you. Leadership
is about
making the tough decisions for the right reasons.
Here's what we do know:
* The Watershed Department budget submitted for Council
approval was a balanced budget which already included more than
10
million in cuts
* We knew that the revenue stream as presented bond was
sufficient to address all of our long term capital improvements
and
stabilize our rating
* We knew that we could absorb the 3ccf conservation and
affordability rate
* After ten months of analyzing the takeover of the drinking
water system, we knew that the budget would meet the funding
required
for a safe and reliable drinking water system
* The budget reflected the reorganization of the Watershed
Department and was approved overwhelmingly by the Council in
June
* We knew that the budget reflected EPA's directive that if
we
stayed on our new course, Atlanta would not face additional
fines
* We know we hired experts in finance and engineering to
ensure the proper technical and financial guidance in developing
our
water/wasterwater program
* We know that the Fulton County Commission has twice rejected
giving voters a choice by approving a SPLOST referendum
* We know that SPLOST revenue would result in rate increase
of
only 6% in 2005 as opposed to the proposed 45%
Atlanta lost ground last night. The council vote has set Atlanta
on a
path of uncertainty, a path where our future is not within our
control. There are many questions that must be answered in the
upcoming days. Here's what we don't know -
* We don't know how rating agencies will respond to this
council action
* We don't know the impacts as a result of any EPA, EPD,
Riverkeeper or court action resulting from this vote
* We don't know the degree of the financial impact, but we do
know that services will have to be cut or reduced, that there
will be
system failures as a result of operational unreliability and
that we
will fall out of compliance with state and federal laws.
* We will not be able to fill our commitment to provide
dedicated resources to support legal, financial and procurement
services under the terms of our commitment to the EPA/EPD in
July of
this year.
I am concerned that by this vote, the City Council has compromised
Atlanta's economic viability, threatened our ability to protect
public
health, and broken our promise to deliver cleaner water as responsible
stewards of our environment. By this vote, job opportunities
are
impacted and our prospect for continued growth is dim. And,
to top it
off, we will continue to pollute rivers and streams.
With this decision, we have closed the door on so many of the
factors
that have made Atlanta a great city. We are repeating the mistakes
of
the past when we have had a history of stepping up to the plate
in the
most extreme conditions to do what is right. On last night,
we made a
decision that I fear will shut the door on our growth and affect
the
lives of generations to come. I pray I am wrong for the sake
of our
residents, young and old alike, and for the future of Atlanta.
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