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A New Vision for Rockdale: Strategic Plan ‘Reimagine Rockdale’ Launched

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Aug. 15, 2024

A New Vision for Rockdale: Strategic Plan ‘Reimagine Rockdale’ Launched

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners has approved a new strategic plan, “Reimagine Rockdale,” aimed at addressing the county’s current challenges and proactively preparing for the future.

With Rockdale County’s population approaching 100,000, the “Reimagine Rockdale” strategic plan is designed to adapt to changing demographics, support population growth, and maintain the county’s legacy.

The goal of “Reimagine Rockdale” is to ensure continuous planning, improvement, and data-informed decision-making to create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable community that thrives amid change.

The strategic plan focuses on strengthening infrastructure and transportation, enhancing public health and safety, spurring economic development, promoting equity, improving access, and fostering a culture of preparedness and innovation.

“Reimagine Rockdale” sets forth six strategic goals under the theme of equity, access, and innovation. The plan outlines priority projects and initiatives through 2029, focusing on four key areas for a comprehensive approach:

Governance: Enhancing policies, procedures, and organizational controls.
Social: Strengthening community well-being and social services.
Economic: Driving economic growth and sustainability.
Environmental: Promoting sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and resilience.

These goals aim to create a community that is adaptable and plans toward the year 2040.

The strategic planning and development process prioritized community engagement through the initiative “Reimagine Rockdale Together,” which included a dedicated website (www.reimaginerockdaletogether.com), surveys, community education activities, and strategy-building sessions. Insights and perspectives were gathered from residents, community members, employees, department leaders, a steering committee, and local elected officials, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives.

“Reimagine Rockdale” establishes a commitment to making Rockdale County the best it can be, ensuring a vibrant future for all its residents. The strategic plan can be viewed online at https://bit.ly/ReimagineRockdaleStrategicPlan.

For more information, contact Lisa Chester at (770) 278-7018 or email lisa.chester@rockdalecountyga.gov

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Rockdale County to Host Paper Shredding Day for 2024

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Aug. 14, 2024

Rockdale County to Host Paper Shredding Day for 2024

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County is holding its ever-popular Paper Shredding event for Rockdale residents and business owners on Sat., Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the parking lot of 1400 Parker Road, Conyers, 30094. The free, half-day event will provide the public with a place to safely discard and recycle old documents.

There is a maximum of 4 banker boxes per vehicle allowed for paper shredding. Participants must provide a photo ID as proof of an address in the County. A Cut Above Shredding, a professional paper shredding company, will have paper shredding trucks on site and will securely handle all items under the close supervision of government staff.

This event operates on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be two shredding trucks on site for the event. However, once the shredding trucks are full, shredding services for the day will end.

Papers that are loose, folded or in envelopes are accepted. Please remember to remove all foreign objects from papers to be shredded, including spring loader/binder clips or glue and adhesives. Additional items that are not accepted include photographs, hanging metal file folders and three-ring binders.

The event is weather-dependent. Should the forecast predict rain, the equipment will be inoperable, and the event will have to be scheduled for a later date and time.

For more information, please contact Rockdale County Public Relations at public.relations@rockdalecountyga.gov or 770-278-7050.

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Rockdale County Among First in Georgia with FEMA-Approved Hazard Mitigation Plan

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

August 12, 2024

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County is proud to announce that it is one of the first jurisdictions in Georgia to have its hazard mitigation plan approved under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new guidelines. Developed collaboratively with the City of Conyers, the plan is a long-term strategy aimed at reducing the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

The FEMA-approved plan identifies potential hazards in Rockdale County and provides a framework to assist local officials in making informed decisions that could protect lives and property. A crucial aspect of the plan is its focus on implementing mitigation projects throughout the city and county to reduce the impact of future disasters and associated costs.

“Rockdale County EMA is thrilled about this accomplishment. New guidance came out halfway through our planning process, and our wonderful EMA Planner Gerald Woodridge Jr. was able to pivot and adjust our planning process as needed. The Hazard Mitigation Plan is a very important part of how we build resiliency in Rockdale – it outlines our plans for improving infrastructure, engaging with our community, and adding important disaster elements such as storm shelters. Because of this plan, and FEMA’s new guidance, we are in a better position to prepare Rockdale and its citizens for disaster,” said Meredith Barnum, Deputy Director of the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency.

Historical evidence shows that hazard mitigation planning can significantly reduce a disaster’s physical, financial, and emotional toll on a community. The planning process encourages communities to integrate mitigation strategies into day-to-day decision-making regarding land-use planning, floodplain management, site design, and other activities.

FEMA reviews and approves state, tribal, and local hazard mitigation plans. These plans are required for states and communities to receive certain types of disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. State mitigation plans must be approved every five years, and local and tribal mitigation plans must be approved at least once every five years.

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Rockdale County Department of Finance Receives GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

August 7, 2024

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – The Rockdale County Department of Finance is pleased to announce that its FY2024 budget has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

“The award represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation,” stated a GFOA news release.

These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as:

a policy document,
a financial plan,
an operations guide, and
a communications device.

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award.

“We are very proud as a department and offer a special thanks to the commitment and hard work of Deputy CFO Narender Bhardwaj, Bill Vaughn, and Cenathia Boyd,” said Michelle Irizarry, Rockdale County CFO.

The GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is a prestigious recognition awarded to entities whose budget documents meet the program’s high standards. There are over 1,700 participants in the Budget Awards Program. The most recent Budget Award recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA’s website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

Rockdale County’s recognition in this program sets a standard of excellence in governmental budgeting. The most current list of 2024 award recipients can be found on GFOA’s website at www.gfoa.org.

For more information, please contact: the Finance department at (770) 278-7555.

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