Infrastructure Improvements
Infrastructure is critical to economic development, public health, and quality of life. Infrastructure encompasses roads, sewage, water, electric utilities, and transportation. For many years, DeKalb’s infrastructure was largely ignored, until reaching a critical point in 2017. In 2011 DeKalb reached the Clean Water Act settlement a Consent Decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD) to formalize the implementation of sanitary sewer system improvements that will cost more than $320 million. These upgrades include flow meter installation, CCTV inspections of the sewer system, rain gauge installation, manhole rehabilitation, lift station upgrades and rehabilitation, and sewer pipe relocation.
As the Chair of DeKalb’s Public Works and Infrastructure (PWI) Committee, I have a deep working knowledge of Dekalb’s infrastructure, Capital Assurance Program (CAP), Priority Sewer Assessment Rehabilitation Program (PSARP), Ongoing Sewer Assessment Rehabilitation Program (OSARP), and capital improvements including Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrades. During my time as Chair of PWI both the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan and the $284 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan was obtained saving DeKalb over $60 million. I have been at the table during the critical restructuring of Tax Anticipated Notes (TANs) and moved forward with the appropriation of funding for the much-needed Storm Water Master Plan and I am prepared to continue the work necessary to remediate, enhance, and prepare DeKalb’s infrastructure for the future.
Understanding the importance of transportation and the unique opportunity we have at this time to receive federal funds for transit initiatives, due to unprecedented infrastructure funds as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), I have encouraged and led the critical conversation on High Capacity Transit (HTC). The 21-county Metro Atlanta region is expected to be home to 7.9 million people by 2050, with 1.8 million more residents than in 2020. With increased residents and cars, mass transit is critical to the future of DeKalb. I understand the process necessary to engage our Senators, Congressman, and local and regional partners to develop a course of action and funding mechanism to ensure HCT meets our future transit needs. As your CEO, I look forward to working alongside transit partners to develop a course of action.