City of South Fulton, GA - Mayor khalid
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​SOUTH FULTON 101
Atlanta's Twin City & American Capitol of the African Diaspora

At 90 square miles, South Fulton, GA is Atlanta's new twin city and the Blackest City in America.

Black. On Purpose.

​Established in 2017, Atlanta’s new twin city — South Fulton, GA — is 100 square miles with over 100,000 residents and a nearly  $200 million budget. South Fulton’s population is 92 percent African American, making this formally unincorporated area of Fulton County (affectionately known in hip-hop as the S.W.A.T.S.) the Blackest City in America. This new, international Black mecca boasts an average median income higher than Atlanta (which has lost its Black majority) or Chicago (see economic data below) and a home ownership rate of 69% — one of the highest in the nation across all demographics. Our honor roll of residents includes late Civil Rights Icon John Lewis,  Tony award-winner Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, Grammy-winning artists Kandi Burruss, Ludacris and 2 Chainz, legendary MLB center-fielder Marquis Grissom and Heisman trophy-winning, NFL quarterback Cam Newton. ​​
City of South Fulton, GA Map - Zoomable PDF (khalidCares.com/SouthFulton101)
City of South Fulton, GA (Zoomable PDF)
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​Do I live in the New City?
Who is My Councilperson?

FIND YOUR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT
Step 1: Click the button above to find what Voting Districts you live in for City, County, State & Congressional Elections.

Step 2: Enter Your Street Address in the Fulton County Voting Districts Map.
​

Scroll down to see your City Voting District (see example to the right).

ORIGIN STORY
Kujichagulia: Self Determination

With an 92 percent African American population, South Fulton, Georgia is officially the Blackest City in America. khalidCares.com/101
With an 92 percent African American population, South Fulton, Georgia is officially the Blackest City in America.
The City of South Fulton was shaped by a race to cityhood that swept through the Atlanta metropolitan area in recent years. In the early 2000s, wealthy suburbs in North Fulton County began to incorporate into cities, misled by the myth that their tax dollars were flowing to South Fulton County to help pay for services for South Fulton residents.

Republican State Senator David Shafer passed an amendment to the state constitution which required any tax dollars collected within a city's limits to be spent in those limits. Atlanta, a relatively small city by national standards, sought to expand its boundaries & tax base through ​annexation of unincorporated areas of Fulton County. Cities in South Fulton County like Union City, College Park and Fairburn began annexing and expanding as well.
​​For over a decade, residents of unincorporated South Fulton County resisted cityhood, choosing to remain one with Fulton County. However the continuing expansion & annexation by surrounding cities left unincorporated South Fulton County with an increasingly smaller tax base to provide services like Police and Parks to residents. 

​When the City of Atlanta, while in the midst of a massive 
school cheating scandal, tried to annex more unincorporated South Fulton neighborhoods & schools, South Fulton residents decided they had had enough.

​
On November 8, 2016, the residents of South Fulton County voted to become the City of South Fulton by a margin of 59 percent. Many South Fultonites cited self-determination — the ability to control our own boarders, budget and resources – as their chief reason for supporting cityhood. 
This desire for self-determination is reflected Kwanzaa principle "Kujuchagulia," proposed as the city's motto by Councilmen khalid & Baker's proposed re-design of the South Fulton's City seal (above). 

​On March 21, 2017, the City of South Fulton held its first elections for City Council. Over 72 candidates ran for eight City Council seats (including the office of Mayor), resulting in an April runoff election. The City of South Fulton's Council was sworn into office Saturday, April 29, 2017. The City of South Fulton officially became Georgia's largest new city at midnight, May 1, 2017. 

The City of South Fulton's new city council immediately went to work setting up the city's Police, Fire, Parks, Planning & Zoning and Public Works departments, in addition to hiring a City Manager and a consulting firm to help select a new city name. Many stories of the City of South Fulton's early months can be found in the Archives section of this website, or in khalidCares' Newsletter Archives. 
South Fulton City Council • 2017-Current
FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS
24/7 PUBLIC WORKS HOTLINE
(470) 552-4311​​
Garbage Collection, Illegal Dumping, Street Paving & Potholes
File An Open Records Request
TRACK YOUR Records Request
City Hall • Main Number
(470) 809-7700

5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd SW
Atlanta, GA  30336
www.CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

Fire
Emergencies: 911​​
Non Emergencies: (470) 809-7575

Chad Jones, Chief
Chad.Jones@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

Police

Emergencies: 911​​
Non Emergencies: (470) 809-7300

Keith Meadows, Chief
Keith.Meadows@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

City Court
Traffic, Code Violation and other Misdemeanors
(470) 809-7400
Dionne Dixon, Court Administrator
CourtClerk@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov
Pay Your Ticket/Fine
Pay Your Traffic Ticket
Mayor khalid • City Hall
khalid@khalidCares.com
Chief of Staff, Yusuf Otway
(470) 809-7710
ChiefofStaff@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov
Public Advocate, Bayinnah Brooks
(470) 809-7721
PublicAdvocate@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

​City Manager
​(470) 809-7737

Sharon Subadan
Sharon.Subadan@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

Assistant City Manager, Dr. Marc Cooper
Marc-Antoine.Cooper@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

Finance Department
(470) 470-7160

Karen Slaton-Dixon, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Karen.Dixon@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

​Parks & Recreation
​(470) 809-7275

Ternard Turner, Interim Parks Director
Ternard.Turner@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov
Full City Directory
City Clerk
(470) 809-7711
Corey Adams
Corey.Adams@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

​Community Development

Planning & Zoning
Business Licenses & Taxes
(470) 809-7725
Reginald McClendon, Esq.
Reginald.McClendon@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov
Apply or Check On a Permit
​Code Enforcement
(470) 809-TELL (8355)
Brian Morris, Director
Brian.Morris@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

​
Fire Marshall (Max Occupancy of Rooms)
(470) 809-7553
Donna Dingler
Donna.Dingler@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

​
Human Resources (Jobs)
(470) 809-7717
​​​
Patricia Redfern
Patricia.Redfern@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

SOUTH FULTON CITY HALL

Picture

5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd
Atlanta, GA  30336

City Hall is currently housed in an office park on Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
This is not uncommon for new cities, which take 7-10 years on average saving up revenue before building a city hall, as was the case Sandy Springs. 

2023 CITY HOLIDAYS

City of South Fulton & Federal Governments Fiscal Year begins October 1
Georgia & Atlatna's Fiscal Year begins July 1
Monday, January 2
January 16 (3rd Monday)
February 20 (3rd Monday)
Monday, May 3
Mother's Day (May 14) through Labor Day (Sep 4)
May 29 (last Monday)
Memorial Day thru Labor Day

Monday, June 20
Tuesday, ​July 4
September 4 (1st Monday)

October 9 (2nd Monday)
November 7 (1st Tuesday)

Friday, November 10
​November 23-24 (4th Thursday)

December 22
December 26-31*

Friday, December 29
New Years
MLK Day of Service
President's Day
​City Anniversary
*Mayor's Office Closed for Summer Fridays
​Memorial Day
Mayor's Office Closed for Summer Fridays
Juneteeth observed
​Independence Day
Labor Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Election Holiday
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Kwanzaa (Mayor's Office only)
​New Year's Eve

SOUTH FULTON 101
Understanding Our New City

Follow Us on Social Media.
South Fulton, GA Mayor khalid is America's first Movement for Black Lives organizer elected Mayor www.khalidCares.com
Mayor of South Fulton, GA​
Mayor khalid
(470) 809-7710
City of South Fulton, GA Map - Zoomable PDF (khalidCares.com/SouthFulton101)
City of South Fulton, GA (Zoomable PDF)
FIND YOUR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT
Step 1: Click the button above to find what Voting Districts you live in for City, County, State & Congressional Elections.

Step 2: Enter Your Street Address in the Fulton County Voting Districts Map.
​

Scroll down to see your City Voting District (see example to the right).

South Fulton
​City Districts & Councilpeople

Click on Map to view Zoomable Map.
​Click on Concilperson's name to send an email. 
City of South Fulton District 1 (Cascades, Loch Lomond, Fulton Industrial) Map - khalidCares.com South Fulton 101
Councilwoman Catherine Rowell represents District 1 (Cascades/Fulton Industrial FIB) in the City of South Fulton, GA -- Atlanta's new twin city & the Blackest City in America. www.khalidCares.com

​District 1
(Cascades, Loch Lomond, Fulton Industrial, Sandtown)
Catherine Rowell

(470) 809-7701
City of South Fulton District 2 (Camp Creek, Cliftondale, Cascade-Palmetto Hwy 92) Map - khalidCares.com South Fulton 101
Councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs represents Distict 2 (Cliftondale, Wolf Creek) in the City of South Fulton, GA -- Atlanta's new twin city & the Blackest City in America. www.khalidCares.com

​District 2
​(Camp Creek, Cliftondale, Cascade-Palmetto Hwy 92)
Carmalitha Gumbs
(​470) 809-7702
City of South Fulton District 3 (Welcome All/Red Oak, Roosevelt Hwy) Map - khalidCares.com South Fulton 101
Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis represents District 3 (Welcome All, Red Oak) in the City of South Fulton, GA -- Atlanta's new twin city & the Blackest City in America. www.khalidCares.com

District 3
(Welcome All, Red Oak, Roosevelt Hwy)
Helen Z. Willis
(470) 809-7703
City of South Fulton District 4 (South Fulton Parkway, Cedar Grove, Hwy 92) Map - khalidCares.com South Fulton 101
Councilwoman Naeema Gilyard represents District 4 (Cedar Grove, Hwy 92) in the City of South Fulton, GA -- Atlanta's new twin city & the Blackest City in America. www.khalidCares.com

District 4
​(South Fulton Parkway, Cedar Grove, Hwy 92)

Jaceey Sebastian

(470) 809-7704
City of South Fulton District 5 (Flat Shoals, Feldwood, Buffington Rd) Map - khalidCares.com South Fulton 101
Councilman Corey Reeves represents District 5 (Flat Shoals, Buffington Rd) in the City of South Fulton, GA -- Atlanta's new twin city & the Blackest City in America. www.khalidCares.com

District 5
(Flat Shoals, Feldwood, Old Bill Cook, Buffington Road)
Corey Reeves
(470) 809-7705
City of South Fulton District 6 (Central Old National) Map - khalidCares.com South Fulton 101
Councilman khalid, a former #BlackLivesMatter organizer, represents District 6 (Old National) in the City of South Fulton, GA -- Atlanta's new twin city & the Blackest City in America. www.khalidCares.com

​District 6
​(Central Old National)​
Natasha Williams
(470) 809-7706​
City of South Fulton District 7 (Jonesboro Rd/Hwy 138, Oakley Industrial, Fife) Map - khalidCares.com South Fulton 101
Councilwoman Linda B Pritchett represents District 7 (Hwy 138, Oakley Industrial, Fife) in the City of South Fulton, GA -- Atlanta's new twin city & the Blackest City in America. www.khalidCares.com

​District 7
(Jonesboro Rd/Hwy 138, Oakley Industrial, Fife)
Linda Pritchett

(470) 809-7707

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 ​South Fulton 101 TV:
What Does a City Manager Do?

A Schoolhouse Rock® for adults, South Fulton 101 TV is a series of short videos created by Councilman khalid to educate South Fulton citizens on how their new city government works. Watch the latest South Fulton 101 video here!

FACT CHECK:
​Why Not Call a Citywide Vote for New City Name?

After months of community engagement, South Fulton's City Council called a special meeting on November 13, 2018 to vote on a new city name. During 3 rounds of voting, every member of City Council voted for the name Renaissance. The name was vetoed the following month by the Mayor, and the new city continues to be known as South Fulton.

​A Citizen Survey regarding a new city name and other questions can be found at: 
khalidCares.com/Surveys
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​What About a Non-Binding Vote?
​
The suggestion has been made by several others that the city hold a non-legally binding Election where voters could give direct feedback.

A proposal gaining popularity in recent weeks is to open polls at City Hall (5440 Fulton Industrial) and the South Service Center (5600 Stonewall Tell) for citizens to hold a citywide vote on the name. Voters would select between 5 names, with a citywide vote occurring around the MLK Holiday in mid-January.

Many have asked: Why not just put the name two a citywide vote? 

There are three reasons a Vote for a New City Name would be very difficult at this time: 
1) Legal Limitations
2) Logistical Considerations 
3) Timeline of Cityhood Transition


LEGAL LIMITATIONS 
In order to place a referendum (question for voters) on an official ballot, Georgia State Law O.C.G.A. §36-35-3 requires citizens to collect around 17,000 signatures (15 percent of the city’s 119,073 Registered Voters) for each proposed name to be added to the ballot. Additionally,  even if either of these solutions was pursued,  O.C.G.A. § 21-2-540(c)(2) limits such ballot questions to the following dates in 2018: May 22 and November 6. ​
Neither of these would give us enough time to transition departments. Remember: we are legally & financially obligated to set up Fire, Police & Sanitation services before November 2018.  

​
However, a Non-Legally Binding Election means that even if thousands of people came out to vote for the City Name, our City Council would still be required to hold its own vote. No Councilmember would be obliged to cast a vote for the top choice of citizens.


This is exactly what happened during City Council's November 13 vote for the City Name. Though the name South Fulton lead in many online surveys, its popularity was NOT reflected in the votes of Councilmembers.​
​LOGISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
If the City were to conduct a non-biniding Election, here are some logistical issues to consider:
How Would Residents Be Notified?
One of the biggest complaints of our residents is the lack of communication from the city about the name change. Though much information about the city is available online, and in electronic newsletters like this one, residents have pressed for paper notification of such events.. 

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Sample Notice of Election postcard.
Indeed, in a legally binding Special Election, a Notice of Election would be sent to every eligible registered voter, with the date(s) of the Election and the location(s) where s/he could go vote.  To print & mail such a notice to all eligible voters would cost the city around $50,000.

What City Names Would Go On the Ballot?
Nearly 300 different names were submitted by residents who were aware of our renaming. Countless other names were brought by others as they found out about the renaming. 

Many residents were displeased with the process Marketing Firms Vivo 360 & firstClass Inc. used to narrow the list to the 20 most popular names. How many names would be placed on the ballot for a citywide election — 5, 50 or 500 — and what process would be used to select them?

If no name received over 50 percent of the popular vote, would a runoff be held?

These are some of the crucial questions that must be answered, in addition to figuring out who would supervise the voting and counting of the ballots, before any such election could be held. 
In 2018, $5000 was spent to place City Seals on 18 Code Enforcement trucks. Hundreds of Police, Fire, Parks and Public Works vehicles will need similar decals before they can be used by the City. khalidCares.com/News
In 2018, $5000 was spent to place City Seals on 18 Code Enforcement trucks. Hundreds of Police, Fire, Parks and Public Works vehicles will need similar decals before they can be used by the City.

Changes to City Charter Change City's Form of Government

State Representative Roger Bruce (l.) & City of South Fulton's first Mayor William
State Representative Roger Bruce (l.) & City of South Fulton's first Mayor William "Bill" Edwards have been friends since their days at Morehouse College in the 1970s.
June 2020, State Legislators Roger Bruce & Debra Bazemore authored controversial House Bills (921 and 1019) that dramatically expanded the Mayor of South Fulton's powers and changed the city from a Council-Manager form of government to a "Strong Mayor" (Mayor-Council) form of government. ​
International City & County Managers Association (ICMA) Presentation on various Forms of Local Government khalidCares.com/101
Click to view ICMA Presentation on various Forms of Local Government.
Under the original City Charter, the Mayor's nomination of any City Manager was subject to approval by a majority vote (at least 4) of City Council.  Now, according to H.B. 1019 (lines 254-263), if Council rejects Mayor Edwards' first 3 nominations, he can make a fourth nomination which does not need Council's approval. The Mayor can also override any vote or act of Council (lines 197-198).

Neither City Council nor South Fulton residents were involved in these  changes to the City Charter written by State Legislators Roger Bruce & Debra Bazemore. However, citizens voted overwhelmingly in favor of a Resolution on Georgia's November 2020 ballot that will now allow the City Council to challenge the recent changes in court. 
Answering YES to Proposed (State) Constitution Amendment 2 might reverse re-writes to the City of South Fulton, Georgia's City Charter passed in the State Legislature this Summer. khalidCares.com/101
Answering YES to Proposed (State) Constitution Amendment 2 might reverse re-writes of South Fulton's City Charter passed in the State Legislature this Summer.
To date, a majority of City Council has not voted to oppose these changes.    ​

FACT CHECK:
Is Crime Increasing as Fulton County Police Leave?

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Major Crimes are down in South Fulton from 2016.
Contrary to South Fulton's overrepresentation in local news' crime reporting, and exaggerated rumors of police officers transferring to other departments ahead of a Fulton PD's transfer of power to the City of South Fulton, there has been no statistical increase in crime. In fact, as the data above displays, there has actually been a reduction in all major crimes according to the most current statistics available.

Though a few police officers have transferred to departments in other locals, Fulton County police continue to perform well beyond their small number.  "This isn't to say we don't have some work to do," explains Councilman khalid. "However we cannot let baseless rumors and gossip drive our public policy." 

FACT CHECK:
Did City Council Cut the Budget of the Parks Department for 2018?

Watch former City Manager Ruth Jones explain Park Funding increase.
No. Actually, City Council raised this year's Parks Budget by over $500,000
​
The Parks Budget under Fulton County for 2016-2017 was: $4,416,201
The Parks Budget for City of South Fulton 2017-2018 is: $4,985,326
The budget for Parks & Recreation was increased by over $569,125 this year.  

So, where does this myth come from?
The City held 3 Budget Hearings this September, in preparation for the FY2018 Budget (which begins October 1, like a school year). During the 2nd Budget Hearing, it appears that City Council voted to take money from the Parks & Recs Budget for its Legislative Specialists/Council Aides.

Howerver, this is because in the middle of the budget process, $1 Million went "missing" from the City Budget. After this vote was taken, Councilmembers questioned the City Manager about the missing funds.  The money was "found," double-budgted in another department.  The Interim City Manager, Ruth Jones, resigned shortly thereafter.  

Click the link below to view our city’s Final Parks Budget for FY2018 (Oct 1, 2017-2018). 
South Fulton 2017-18 Budget
Print FAQ Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) About Cityhood


Q: Where did the name South Fulton come from?
A: Concerned citizens began suggesting names over a year ago, even before the November 2016 vote that created our city was taken. Over 250 names were submitted. City Council hired a Marketing Firm to narrow down the list to 20 names, which City Council voted on this November.

Georgia Law prohibits us from just listing a bunch of names on the ballot. In order to add any question to a ballot, a voter must collect signatures from 20 percent of registered voters – that would be 23,815 for each city name to appear on a ballot. To get around this, khalid conducted an online poll for the Top 20 names on the shortlist. More info on the process and name can be found HERE.

Though all seven Councilpeople voted for the name "Renaissance," the name was vetoed by the Mayor; and the name "South Fulton," which was used to describe the area in the legislation written to create the city, became the city's official name.  

Q: When & where are City Council meetings? Can I attend?
A: Council Meetings will be held the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month at 7PM. All Council Meetings are open to the public, including Council Work Sessions, which are currently scheduled for 5PM every 2nd & 4th Tuesday, just before the Council Meetings. Work Sessions are used to discuss Issues, but votes on any given issue are only taken at Council Meetings.

The first 30 minutes of each meeting are open for Public Comment. The first few meetings are expected to be filled to capacity, so citizens are encouraged to arrive early! Seniors & disabled citizens are encouraged to schedule rides with MARTA Mobility by calling (404) 848-5826. To sign up for this service, please call (404) 848-5389 Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 5pm. Trips must be scheduled by 5pm the day before.

Q: What services would the City provide?
A: By November 2018, our city will run the Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Planning & Zoning, and Economic Development department, and City Court (which handles misdemeanor offences like traffic violations, code enforcement, marijuana & loitering).The jail, schools, health department and most courts, will remain run by Fulton County.

The current Transition Timeline is as follows:

July 2017: Planning & Zoning
August 2017: Code Enforcement
November 1, 2017: Municipal Court
​February 26, 2018: Fire
March 26, 2018: Police
Summer 2018: Parks & Recreation

Fall 2018: Public Works & Citywide Garbage Collection

Q: Will my Property Taxes go up?
A: No. Unincorporated Fulton county has been paying for Police, Fire & other county services on our own since 2007 (when cities like Sandy Springs & Milton “broke away” and formed their own departments). Should residents decide we want more services than we have now, you culd see a slight increase in your property taxes. However, a provision of GA House Bill 514 (our city’s charter) prohibits City Council from raising property taxes more than 1 mil (1/1000th) without a citywide vote. For a $100,000 house whose Assessed Value is $40,000, such an increase would be $40 more per year.

ALL Senior Homestead Exemptions that currently apply to your county property taxes will automatically transfer to the City of South Fulton.
Help Mayor khalid make America's Blackest City Black On Purpose.
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  • Home
  • 2023 ELECTIONS
  • SOUTH FULTON 101
    • BLACK HISTORY
    • CITY DOCUMENTS
    • Shop South Fulton
  • Mayor khalid's Vision
  • BLACK ON PURPOSEĀ® SHOP
  • CONTACT
    • Mayor Mondays & Frequently Called Numbers
    • Public Advocate (Citizen Service Issues)
    • Sign Up for Newsletter
  • NEWS
    • HEALTH
    • City Attorney Battle
    • TRANSITION COMMISSION
    • City Impeachment Hearings
  • CITY JOBS
  • ABOUT KHALID
    • khalid Bio
    • Legislation
    • Press KIT (EPK)