Michelle Irizarry

This document summarizes the public and stakeholder engagement process for the Rockdale County Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan. The engagement aimed to gather community insights and priorities to inform the development of data-driven strategies focused on eliminating traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. Key engagement methods included steering committee meetings, focus group interviews, community event pop-ups, and project surveys to address prevalent concerns such as speeding, poor road infrastructure, and pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The Rockdale County Comprehensive Safety Action Plan outlines a strategic roadmap to achieve zero traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by the year 2050. The plan adopts a data-driven Safe System Approach, focusing on five key elements: Safe Road Users, Safe Speeds, Safe Roads, Safe Vehicles, and Post-Crash Care. It integrates community input and proven safety practices to implement systemic changes, aiming to transform the transportation network into one that prioritizes safety, equity, access, mobility, and sustainability for all road users.

The proceedings began with special recognitions and a presentation regarding the 2022 millage rate, which included details on the proposed rate of 18.69 mills, contrasting it with the advertised rate, and showing budget allocations across public safety, general government, court services, recreation, parks, and transportation. Budget highlights included the funding of all current programs and services, balanced budget status, and updates on senior services meals and the commencement of programming at the Grady Jarrett Resource Opportunity Center. Further operational highlights included the establishment of a mobile medic response team, purchase of a new 911 system, completion of the animal services shelter expansion, and relocation of the board of elections. A comparison of the tax digest from 2021 to 2022 was presented, showing growth, alongside a history of millage rates since 2010, indicating a proposed increase from the previous year's rollback rate. The meeting transitioned into the first of three required public hearings specifically on the millage rate, where citizens expressed concerns over rising property taxes, requested a forensic audit of county books, and criticized increased spending and new park development, warning of significant tax increases for homeowners.

The meeting commenced with acknowledgments of Rockdale County's 150th birthday anniversary (1870 to 2020). Key agenda items included special recognitions and presentations. The Board proclaimed October 2020 as National Community Planning Month, recognizing the dedication of planning commissions and professional planners. A second proclamation honored National 4-H Week, highlighting the program's contribution to youth development. A subsequent proclamation also designated October 18th as Rockdale County Founders Day, acknowledging the county's creation date and heritage preservation efforts.

The document details actions taken during two concatenated meetings: a Special Call Meeting and a Regular Board Meeting. The Special Call Meeting focused solely on approving a resolution authorizing the execution and performance of an intergovernmental contract related to the Development Authority of Rockdale County taxable Revenue bond for a land acquisition project (Series 2024). The Regular Board Meeting included significant time dedicated to honoring a longtime employee, Marian 'Wink' Lester, for 45 years of service, including dedicating the softball fields at Earl O'Neal Park as the Marian 'Wink' Lester Fields. Agenda items for the regular session included discussions on amending the Future Land Use Map and rezoning cases for property near Ebenezer and Highway 138. Financial and grant actions involved approving a $155,000 Summer Boost Year Three Program Grant from the Georgia Recreation and Park Association, a change order for the Multi-Service Agent Aging Grant, an application for a $155,000 Dog and Cat Sterilization Grant, a Memorandum of Agreement with Georgia Piedmont Technical College for emergency communications certification, and multiple grant modifications (de-obligations and increases) related to the State Court DUI Court Supervised Treatment Program and the Juvenile Resource Court. Furthermore, approvals were sought for a utility agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for SR20 water valve box adjustments, a change order to increase capacity for the Georgia Highway 138 sewer main extension, and a change order to add a full-time mental health professional for inmate health services.