ATLANTA — State Representative Matt Dollar (R-Marietta) today announced the introduction of House Bill 921, otherwise known as the Development Authority Transparency and Accountability Act. The bill has bi-partisan support and is co-sponsored by members of the Cobb County Delegation.
“I have been speaking with several constituents who have asked that something be done about the mess that has recently occurred in Cobb concerning the Cobb Development Authority,” said Rep. Dollar. “I have been working with several leaders in our community towards a solution. The necessity of this legislation is a direct result of the recent debacle that revealed that there are serious problems with the current system. The taxpayers need more accountability from the appointed boards and the economic development community needs to know Cobb’s word can be trusted. This piece of legislation will allow more transparency and accountability in these authorities without jeopardizing the future of economic development in the state and region.”
In response to concerns from constituents, Rep. Dollar is sponsoring HB 921. This bill would require development authorities to provide quarterly reports, so that counties, municipalities and local school boards can stay informed on new and existing development projects.
“People in Cobb County were shocked, and rightfully so, that an unelected and completely unaccountable board could approve a sweetheart deal to a single developer, that the county’s own professional staff had recommended not go forward thus giving away millions of dollars of the county and school system tax revenue,” added Rep. Dollar. “Cobb has always been an economic powerhouse and a business and taxpayer friendly community. I hope this legislation will go a long way in restoring the faith in the taxpayer and economic development community.”
Rep. Dollar will also introduce House Resolution 1239. This legislation would create a Development Authority Study Committee so that state representatives could study local development authorities and their relationship with county and municipal governing authorities, and local school boards, and address concerns of transparency and accountability. The committee will also consider findings of the state audit on development authorities released in December, which determined that local development authorities need to do a better job of ensuring the members are ethical and discussions take place in public meetings.
The Development Authority of Cobb County consists of seven members who are appointed by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. The authority was created by the State of Georgia to support local economic development by providing financial incentives to assist desirable economic development projects and promoting Cobb County to new business.
Representative Matt Dollar represents the citizens of District 45, which includes portions of Cobb and Fulton counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2003, and is currently the Chairman of the Interstate Cooperation Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Insurance, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, and Transportation committees.
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