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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October 22, 2003 |
TEXT OF MAYOR FRANKLIN'S
LETTER TO GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE ON ATLANTA'S WATER & SEWER
SYSTEM
October 21, 2003
The Honorable Sonny Perdue
Governor
203 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Governor Perdue:
I am writing as a follow up on our previous discussions regarding
the federal court mandate to repair Atlanta's dilapidated water
and sewer system. The cost of this mandate is approximately
$3+ billion. As you know, this crisis affects not just the residents
and businesses of Atlanta and Fulton County, but, indeed, the
entire metro region and those who live and work downstream on
the Chattahoochee River.
Unless we receive assistance, water and sewer rates will increase
dramatically beginning January 2004. Residential, commercial
and wholesale customers will receive a 45 percent increase in
2004, another 45 percent increase in 2005 and an 11 percent
increase in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
The City is shouldering most of the economic burden of this
mandate, having already committed $1.6 billion of our own resources.
However, this is a local, state and national crisis which requires
a local, state and national solution. As such, we need your
support in relieving the burden that will be imposed on our
families and businesses. Specifically, I request the following:
* The State of Georgia and the General Assembly approve grants
to the City of $50 million for 10 years;
* As Governor, personally assist me and our lobbying team
to urge our U. S. Congressional delegation and the Bush Administration
to provide $1 billion in appropriations to the City for relief
from this mandate;
* Support the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) proposed
legislation that will allow a Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST)
election at the earliest date possible. This action will permit
the people of the City of Atlanta to vote on how to fund part
of the impending rate increase assuming that Fulton County continues
to refuse to call a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).
Along with a commitment from the state, a partnership with
the federal government is entirely justified. The City must,
and will, meet the requirements and deadlines imposed under
the Consent Decree negotiated by the federal government. However,
we feel financial help is warranted since several other cities
have faced similar challenges and have received federal assistance
in meeting those challenges. For example, San Diego, California
has received over $500,000 in direct federal assistance over
the past several years through a $1 billion authorization. Boston,
Massachusetts received approximately $1 billion toward rebuilding
its system. Anchorage, Alaska has received $200 million of a
$500 million authorization, and the state of Texas received
an authorization of $1 billion, of which $250 million has been
appropriated to date. Unless Atlanta receives some state and
federal assistance, no other city in our country will have been
treated so harshly.
In the meantime, I will continue to work with the Fulton County
Commission to persuade them to give the people a voice in funding
options for the rate increases.
Addressing this crisis does not only determine whether we
have clean water in Atlanta, it impacts the entire state. For
example, fully 45 percent of our customers reside in surrounding
jurisdictions, including Fulton and Dekalb Counties. Cities,
Counties and citizens in every Congressional District but one
are directly affected by water quality improvements that we
are achieving in the Chattahoochee/Flint Rivers and the South/Altamaha
River Basins. Water resources of the rivers will benefit from
our water infrastructure improvements.
Governor, Atlanta's economy and its people are at risk unless
Fulton County, the State of Georgia and the federal government
demonstrate leadership and do their fair share to assist our
rate payers. I will continue to do everything in my power to
lower the rate increases and relieve the hardships imposed on
our families and businesses.
My staff will be contacting your office soon so that we might
work directly on the specific ways the state can assist its
citizens. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact
me if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Shirley Franklin
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