If we cannot expect the Truth from those trying to create the City of Greenhaven, what can we expect if this city is formed and they become elected officials?
Answer: More Lies. Scary!
False Claim #1 – Denial of voting rights
These same folks tell you they have not been given fair consideration on legislation trying to form this city of Greenhaven.
It is a lie. They want to claim discrimination against our community. Greenhaven proponents have had four bites of the apple and are coming back in 2019 again. They do not admit that the legislation is harmful to our community and want a city at cost (and it will cost us). See Downloads and make copies of the chart.
History of Failed Efforts
When cityhood proponents say they have not had a fair opportunity to get legislation passed, here are the facts.
- Proponents use denial of voting rights as an issue to take focus from the flawed legislation. The TRUTH is the bill must go through the entire legislative process before any citizen vote can take place.
- Any bill for Imagine Greenhaven must be enacted into law, by the Governor, in order to have a referendum in which citizens can vote.
- Proponents use an emotional issue rather than discuss the non-merits of the legislation they propose to create Imagine Greenhaven.
- For more on this issue, Download Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs.
Note: During the process graphically defined above, a bill can be stopped at any point in the process.
False Claim #2 – Taxes Will Not Increase
- Your taxes will increase
- You will pay DeKalb County Government taxes; DeKalb County School taxes, local and federal taxes
- A new city can take on additional services, not listed the feasibility study
- New cities must negotiate with DeKalb County Government or contract vendors to deliver additional services beyond the three that the city would offer; there are no projections as to these costs
- Cityhood legislation does not specify what the initial millage rate will be; this is an unknown financial expense for city taxes that affects you
- Cityhood legislation allows for an additional increase of 1.5 mills after the city council sets the initial millage rate
- Franchise Fees cities negotiate with utility companies, banks, insurance companies may be passed on to the consumer (See
False Claim # 3 – Imagine Greenhaven to receive SPLOST Funds
Not True.
- SPLOST legislation included only currently existing cities of DeKalb County
- DeKalb County negotiated individually with each city to determine disbursement of funds
- Voters approved SPLOST in November 2017 that applies to existing cities
- Imagine Greenhaven was not identified the referendum approved by voters
- Imagine Greenhaven is NOT and was Not a city at the time of the vote
- Imagine Greenhaven is Not entitled to nor eligible for SPLOST funds