Public Health Emergency: During the Covid-19 pandemic, I collaborated with Federal, State, County and local officials to assess the communicable disease threat to the Austell community, and through guidance from the CDC and the Cobb-Douglas County Health Department, implemented Emergency Orders to keep our citizens and staff safe.
Infrastructure Improvements: With a focus on future growth, it was imperative to prioritize the replacement of the city’s aging water and sewer infrastructure to ensure clean drinking water, and reduce environmental hazard risk, by complete removal of the last two sewer-pump stations, upgrading and expanding the water-sewer capacity to meet the demands of a growing Austell population and business community.
Rail/Truck Safety: Being home to the largest intermodal facility in the southeast is great but with that comes a significant amount of truck and train traffic. In the interest of health and development I initiated having an assessment of our rail crossings done by the Federal Railroad Administration.
We began discussions concerning a quite zone and rail safety. Due to the close proximity of our crossings a more in-depth approach was taken. Those conversations included our partners at Norfolk and The Georgia Department of Transportation. The conversations are on going and I have asked ARC to assist with giving study to include possible funding options. I have made sure we continue making every effort to provide for truck safety with road improvements, signage and enforcement trying to keep them out of non-truck neighborhoods. We have also requested assistance from our partners at GDOT with the truck concern.
Economic Development: As a leader in the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, and the Atlanta Regional Commission, our city is focused on the recruitment, retention, and expansion of businesses to the city of Austell for the purpose of job creation and a more diversified tax base. Over the last four years, through revitalization, residential and commercial growth estimated new investment into the city range in the 100’s of millions. Residential property values increase by over 10% each year. Making Austell one of the hottest markets in metro-Atlanta!
Supporting Austell Youth: Reinvestment for all Austell Parks, so that our kids and kids at heart can play, exercise, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Installation of a number of “Little Free Libraries” in various parks to ensure a love of reading and knowledge. To mentor and invest time at Garrett Middle School, and South Cobb High School creating a Student Government Council to give High School students an understanding of local government, and a voice in the decision-making process. Partnered with leaders in Education, Faith-based organizations and the business community in establishing the Austell Youth Innovation Center austellyouthinnovationcenter.com. A Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, (STEAM) Summer and after school program to ensure that our students have the foundation of the jobs that we are bringing to Austell.
City Operations: In a competitive marketplace it was important that the city is able to retain and recruit qualified staff. In an effort to do so I initiated and led the first ever pay and compensation study understanding the rising cost of living, and supporting staff needs with proper compensation. I also led the recruitment and retention plan after that as inflation reached its highest level ever.
The city is “debt free” and maintains a significant reserve in the General Fund. This allows us to pay bills in a timely manner, while performing necessary maintenance, and improvements throughout the city. In addition, the city does not pay financing or interest charges due to not having any debt.
Always looking to improve, budget statements are periodically reviewed to ensure that each department is operating within budget. We have a purchasing policy that created a competitive bidding environment.
As construction costs continue to escalate, the city is trying to be proactive in replacing or updating infrastructure throughout the city so that future elected officials aren’t burdened with the higher cost if completed at a later date.
I expect the citizens of Austell to receive the absolute best customer service and a dedicated focus on improving the quality of life for every resident.