Residents approve incorporating the City of Stonecrest

The new city of Stonecrest in east DeKalb County will now go on maps everywhere. Residents in the Stonecrest footprint passed the referendum with 59.42 percent of the vote in a special election, which was held on Nov. 8 during the General Election.

The city of 50,000 residents will become the largest municipality in DeKalb and the ninth city to join metro Atlanta’s growing cityhood movement.

Stonecrest initially will offer its residents three government services: code enforcement, parks and recreation, and planning and zoning.

Jason Lary, who led the campaign to incorporate the city, said he was thrilled the referendum passed. He and other proponents touted self-governance and the ability to bring economic development to the area as key factors for creating the new city.

Lary said next steps for the new city include:

The governor’s appointment of a Community Commission to oversee the transition. The commission will be comprised of local residents and business owners in the Stonecrest footprint. Interested residents may nominate themselves, however, those who are interested in seeking an elected office in the new city may not participate on the commission.

Office seekers will have a chance to present their case to the public from Nov. 9 to mid-March 2017.

An election will be held in March 2017 for the city’s mayor and five-member council, Lary said. Each council seat will represent 10,000 residents. Elected officials will take control of the city on April 1 and the Commission will be dissolved.

Special Elections Results In DeKalb:

Stonecrest Incorporation Senate Bill 208, Act 328:

YES 59.42 percent

NO 40.58 percent

DeKalb County Homestead Exemption Act 264, HB 596:

YES 69.01 percent

NO 30.99 percent

CITY OF ATLANTA SPECIAL ELECTIONS

T-SPLOST Referendum                                                                  

YES 76.09 percent

NO 23.91 percent

MARTA Sales and Use Tax Referendum

YES 79.54 percent

NO 20.46 percent

CITY OF DECATUR SPECIAL ELECTIONS

City of Decatur Homestead Exemption senate Bill 339, Act No 382

YES 85.79 percent

NO 14.21 percent

City of Decatur Homestead Exemption Senate Bill 340, Act No. 383

YES 83.12 percent

NO 16.88 percent

City of Decatur Homestead Exemption Senate Bill 341, Act No. 384

YES 83.15 percent

NO 16.85 percent

City of Decatur Homestead Exemption Senate Bill 342, Act No. 385

YES 82.09 percent

NO 17.91 percent

City of Decatur Homestead Exemption Senate Bill 343, Act No. 386

YES 75.16 percent

NO 24.81 percent

CITY OF PINE LAKE SPECIAL ELECTION

City of Pine Lake Package Sales

YES 89.32 percent

NO 10.68 percent