Politics & Government

Briarcliff Study Finds Surplus, 50% More Than Lakeside's

COBI: "Data Supports that Briarcliff is a Better City for All."

The City of Briarcliff Initiative, in a press conference Tuesday afternoon to release their feasibility study, released figures showing that their proposal will result in 50 percent more surplus funds than the proposed City of Lakeside.

Gathering at Toco Hills Shopping Center, COBI officials provided a simple one-page document that states the "study data supports that Briarcliff is a Better City for all." They also handed reporters copies of the 52-page study, available online here.

The study, as was Lakeside's, was conducted by the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government. It found that Briarcliff would have a projected surplus of $7.950 million, compared to Lakeside's $5.337 million. Both surpluses would actually be reduced in equal proportion for a first-year ad valorem tax fee. Neither study found the need for a property tax increase.

Both studies, based upon 2012 data, are not definitive but an "informed estimate," Venet said. Including 2013 data might have made the surplus difference between the proposed cities even larger, he said, but COBI is happy with the results since both studies used the same standard.

COBI president Allen Venet told reporters that the study is the latest confirmation that Briarcliff is a "strong city," with a map that is "sensible and logical," and that is inclusive. Without mentioning specifics, he also told reporters "we have not reached out to grab commercial property."

Critics of the Lakeside map have complained about Lakeside's inclusion of Toco Hills Shopping Center in their map while not including neighborhoods nearby that shop there.

The surplus, according to COBI, could be used for increased police services, enhanced streets and sidewalks, improved parks maintenance and development, or to reduce taxes. Use of a surplus would be determined by elected city council members in a new city.

New cities are required to provide at least three services. Briarcliff's plan focuses on five Ps-- police and public safety, planning, parks, permitting and potholes.

Venet was asked about the status of possible pre-Legislature discussions with the Tucker and Lakeside groups. He said COBI was working with "third parties" to try to arrange a meeting of the three groups with the county to resolve questions about the maps. COBI officials say they have had regular talks with the Tucker group, but nothing formal has been held with Lakeside.

When asked, COBI officials said they are still working on a possible public meeting with all three groups invited to attend. Board member Keith Hanks had mentioned that possibility in a COBI public meeting last week.

Tucker 2014 announced today they will be releasing their feasibility study, conducted by Georgia State University, on Saturday.

All three cityhood proposals overlap each other in the Northlake Mall area. A good chunk of Lakeside is in the Briarcliff map. Lakeside's map extends into proposed Tucker territory.

Venet said the Legislature would prefer that the three groups get together and work out differences.

COBI will be holding an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Briarcliff United Methodist Church, 4105 Briarcliff Road, to discuss the study results with the community.

Patch will be following up with further articles on the cityhood studies as we look closer at the details.


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