Brookhaven calls for a referendum for Merry Hills/Toco Hills area

Brookhaven, GA, June 30, 2023 – At a Special Called Meeting on June 30, the Brookhaven City Council approved a resolution calling for Dekalb County’s consent to a referendum vote in areas near the City’s southern border that are already working on annexation applications.

To place the referendum on the ballot in November, both the City and DeKalb County must both approve the referendum question.

The Special Called Meeting follows the City’s public hearing on an annexation application on June 28 and a meeting regarding that application hosted by DeKalb County on June 27.

“Brookhaven is following the state law and honoring the wishes of hundreds of property owners and registered voters in unincorporated DeKalb County. We heard that people want keep neighborhoods together and have a vote on this issue,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst. “Thus, Brookhaven City Council and I take up DeKalb County’s suggestion and we urge the County to put the annexation on the ballot this fall.  This requires DeKalb County to agree to give voters a chance and we encourage the County to let the residents vote.”

Unless or until the County agrees to a referendum on annexations this fall, the City of Brookhaven is required to honor the annexation application the City received from residents and businesses in the annexation area.

The resolution requests that DeKalb County authorize and allow a referendum Nov. 7, 2023 on annexation in the entire unincorporated areas south of Interstate 85, west of Clairmont Road, and north of the Atlanta City Limits before its next regularly scheduled meeting on July 25.

“Brookhaven prides itself on its openness and transparency, and in the public participation process regarding the annexation that has already been submitted, there were several concerns raised during public meetings.  A popular referendum would allay all concerns, so I call upon our partners in DeKalb County to let the people vote on whether they would like to be in the City of Brookhaven,” said Mayor Ernst.

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