Just living up to what most of us believed would happen. Too bad.

They need to be shown that this isnt an extension of their HOA roots.

After we see the tax bills on our property tax, extra ad valorem on our vehicles, franchise tax on gas, cell phone and other utilities, we may want to consider a revote on the issue, before it gets any larger..

Boy... how people change when they get in office. And anyone is surprised?

To all those who voted for cityhood, thankyou. I was really hoping for a tax increase. Just another example of there's no such thing as a free lunch. And what happens to our maximum tax rate when it is not enough?

What exactly will we be getting for this tax increase that we did not have before?

Most of us running household or business budgets can easily discuss adding or subtracting numbers to reach a projected number. What, I want to hear from our elected officials is how they expect that taking $2.8M out of the private sector economy will add value to the citizens and why this is the conservative thing to do?!!

This is an excellent article, Bob. Very well-written and I think it speaks for a lot of us who are now witnessing what is going on. From several summaries I have read in The Patch and one in the AJC, the reactions of the Mayor and Councilmembers are exactly what I expected. With the exception of Alex Wright, who from what I have read is the only one who questioned the huge budget, the rest seem to be very good at the old "bait and switch" behavior - pull in voters by promising one thing, then do another. The Vinson study was the information that was pushed down our throats pre-election by the Yes backers. Interesting how few if any have stepped up to defend their platform. I am very disappointed in the irresponsibility of the Mayor and council members, as well as their lack of communication to the public. Shame on all of you!

Thank you for the kind words Judy! To be fair, Alex wasnt the only councilmember to speak out against the proposed budget, but he was certainly the most outspoken. As I understand it, Jeanne Aulbach also defended us taxpayers...

Good to know, Bob, that another council member spoke up. The only accounts of the meetings I had read mentioned Alex. Thanks for the info!

Did anyone really expect that this new government would be any different than any other government body? Government only gets bigger, not smaller and taxes will only go up. Government agencies are like cancer they grow out of control and eventually destroy the body, (taxpayers). I am sure everyone of us knows of taxes that were supposed to be temporary that seem to live forever and keep being expanded.

I think Alex may have been wrong earlier

Alex J. Wright
5:59 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011

Bob
1) Until you can provide some math to back up your claim of $300 in NEW taxes and fees your claims are irrelevant. It can't be done.
2) The article I referenced (and posted a link to) that you openly claim you did not read and have no need to read focues primarily on why cities INCORPOATE not why cities annex. ONE of the reasons listed for incorporation was to avoid being annexed by existing cities that ARE poorly run. How about reading the article before making assertions from the article.
3) The empty shopping centers, the slum like extended day hotels and the low rent apartments existed well before the real estate collapse. The real estate collapse simply made a bad situation worse. The seeds of the problem were laid by a County zoning and planning commission that never saw a development it didn't like. That lack of vision has what has led to this problem. That lack of vision came from the county. What I propose is putting NEW people in charge that are focused on bringing in development that will increase our home values instead of just bringing in development that will create marginal increases in tax revenue.
4) I don't deal in scare tactics. I deal in facts and numbers. Here is an example - I can substantiate with math that you can't come up with $300 in NEW taxes and fees based on the example your Ballot Committee has provided.

The Mayor may be confused with the meaning of Feasibility.
Here is the definition:
Definition of FEASIBLE
1: capable of being done or carried out <a feasible plan>
2: capable of being used or dealt with successfully : suitable
3: reasonable, likely
— fea·si·bil·i·ty \ˌfē-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— fea·si·bly \ˈfē-zə-blē\ adverb

Well, the moratorium is expected and fine; I was shocked by the budget as well. That's just... crazy? They don't need this many consultants for the basic functions; why are we getting the help from people who set up failing cities in the first place?

Alex we need your help please!

.Alex J. Wright
12:47 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Bob,
I'm sure its a tough night but I just wanted to say you guys put up a hell of a fight. To create an organization from thin air and in just a few months do what you guys did........ hell of a job. I hope people from both sides can close ranks around the concept of keeping a tight reign on our new government and making it work for the people and not spending one red cent more than absolutely necessary. Again, job well done by your team. Regards
...

What happened to the line item last week where somebody that has a copy of photoshop was trying to "donate" a hideous logo that resembles a peach on a cross. Businesses should not be allowed to forward their agenda through "donations"
Reply

It's easy to post negative comments about the Peachtree Corners elected officials and their deliberations of a budget for the first year of the city's existence. Most of the ones I've read in the Patch so far seem like knee-jerk reactions, rather than carefully thought out analysis.

The budget proposal process will include opportunities to see the categories of revenues and expenditures, to compare them to the feasibility study's projections of revenues and expenditures, and to give input to the city's elected officials. Let's go through that process in good faith, recognizing that our neighbors, people like us, serve as these elected officials. These are good people, and if we give them useful input we can help them do a good job for our new city.

As most of the people posting comments know, a 1 mil tax rate on a home with a $300,000 fair value yields a property tax of $120, which is $10 per month. Frankly, if we get more responsive government, especially in the zoning and code enforcement arenas, it will be more than worth it to me to pay this amount of tax. What about you? Would you be willing to pay $10 a month for better government? If we don't get better government, then we can elect different neighbors and give them a try at fulfilling the goals of cityhood for Peachtree Corners.

The proposed city budget is now available on the PCBC website. www.peachtreecornersfacts.com

When I stood up in the meetings and spoke in opposition to this. I told everyone in the meetings what was going to happen and it has. Mike assured me it was not, I just didn't realize it would come so fast. Mike has really shown his true colors. He is truly showing that he his headed to be a true politician. Do as you please and don't listen to the people of the community who pay your sallery. Just use your power and authority to do as the few around you want it done. Its headed out of control and he is driving the ship. Mike if its not true then try and stick to the budget. Don't tripple it before we get started. Looks like everyone is learning from Obama. Yea, It will all be open and transparent. Nothing is and it looks like we are following in his footprints. You can't start a new City which he has done and it not get out of control. I made that statement to you and again you assured me it won't happen. Mike it looks like its headed out. How can you be comfortable with a budget 3 times what you projected to us? Its totally disgusting and this is not the last of this type nonsense. I am sure it will only get worse.. IT TAKES MONEY TO OPEN AND RUN A NEW BUSINESS OR NEW CITY.THAT MONEY IS COMING FROM THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY.You should have spent that money on making Gwinett do their job.It would have been a lot cheaper.Treat us with some respect. Our taxes won't go down in Gwinett it will just be added on to what we already pay.Get with program you started and stay.

It won't stop at 10.00 I am sure of that and that's not negative. Its fact. Hey if I'm wrong tell me in 3 years and I'll eat Crow. It never stops tell Washington that and Gwinett. Too late to tell me I'm watching it in Action. Tripple the Budget 1st one. Nope tell me in three years. You will see when you are paying for that new court house. Its called EGO. They all have it.

Better than that just name me one body of government not out of control. If they need more just go up on our taxes. I wish Icould do that but in private sector, it just doesn't work that way, just government officials that get more greedy. I'll wait for some one to name that body of government. There might be a few that have put a true blue conservative in the slot to stop it for a while. But it won't last long never does and never will. Its not their money they are spending its yours and mine. I've lived here for 62 years and watched it. Don't tell me give them a chance you give them an inch they will take a mile. I promise you your taxes will rise faster than you can even imagine. Its just sad. A City doesn't run on air. It takes money.