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.
Proposed City Seal

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 67.5% — one of the highest in the nation across all demographics. Our honor roll of residents includes late Civil Rights Icon John Lewis, 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
(470) 809-7710

khalid@khalidCares.com
Chief of Staff, Yusuf Otway
ChiefofStaff@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov
Public Advocate
PublicAdvocate@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

City Manager
​(470) 809-7737

Tammi Saddler-Jones
Tammi.Jones@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov
Executive Assistant, 
Jasmine.Owens@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
Derek Hull
Derek.Hull@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
​​​
Niki Graham
Niki.Graham@CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

SOUTH FULTON CITY HALL

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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 3
January 17 (3rd Monday)
February 21 (3rd Monday)
Saturday, May 1
May 30 (last Monday)
Monday, June 20 (observed)
Monday, ​July 4
September 5 (1st Monday)

October 10 (2nd Monday)
November 8 (1st Tuesday)

Friday, November 11
​November 24-25 (4th Thursday)

December 23 & 26
December 26-31*
Friday, December 31
New Years
MLK Day of Service
President's Day
​City Anniversary
​Memorial Day
Juneteeth
​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.
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
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/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 (Cliftondale/Wolf Creek) 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
​(Cliftondale, Wolf Creek)
Carmalitha Gumbs

(​470) 809-7702
City of South Fulton District 3 (Welcome All/Red Oak) 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 (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/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, 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 (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
(Hwy 138, Oakley Industrial, Fife)
Linda Pritchett

(470) 809-7707

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City Moves Towards Unified Residential Garbage Collection

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As of February 1, 2019, every house and residential building in the City of South Fulton is required to have its own Garbage Collection service by a city-approved Sanitation company. Renters must negotiate with their landlords on who will pay for the service.​
Quarterly Fees for City of South Fulton, GA Residential Trash Service khalidCares.com/101
Quarterly Fees for City of South Fulton, GA Residential Trash Service (Oct 2020).


​How Did We Get Here?

​Those paying close attention to South Fulton's transition to cityhood remember earlier plans to have one, citywide service that included recycling & bulk trash collection, all included in homeowner's property tax bills. So what happened?  

In order to be officially recognized as a city by the State of Georgia, certain services must be provided by City government. There are additional requirements if a city wants to receive a portion of the 8% Sales Tax you pay every time you purchase something in Fulton County. Georgia State Code (O.C.G.A. 48-8-80) states that in order to receive this money, cities must provide 3 of the following 6 services:
Water
Sewage
Garbage Collection
Police
Fire

Library
The City of Atlanta owns the water lines.  Fulton County owns the sewer system and runs the library system. This leaves Police, Fire and Garbage Collection — the very services those who fought for cityhood vowed to improve. By having these three services, the City of South Fulton secured access to the Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) described above, which totaled over $28 million in 2021. These millions in additional, annual tax dollars allows South Fulton to spend on more on its citizens

At the outset of cityhood, South Fulton's Council decided against creating a city-owned Sanitation Department like Atlanta's; and opted instead to contract with a private company to provide citywide trash service. The next thing to decide was whom to give that very lucrative contract. ​

Who Can Do the Job?

City of South Fulton, GA Map - Zoomable PDF (khalidCares.com/SouthFulton101)
City of South Fulton, GA
The first thing to keep in mind whenever discussing the City of South Fulton is our map. Unlike other new or neighboring cities, the City of South Fulton is nearly the same size as Atlanta, covering nearly 100 square miles. Anyone offering to do business or provide services in South Fulton must have a plan to cover our entire city; including its countless odd edges, where some streets are South Fulton on only one side of the street, or for only a few blocks.  
​

​This is very different from the City of Sandy Springs, whose population of 100,000 people is compacted into a neatly defined area one-third the size of our city. It is usually easier and more cost-effective to deliver services to more densely populated areas — which is why most Americans live in cities in the first place.  

At the beginning of the Sanitation process, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was written to solicit bids from companies to do the job. Each proposal would be scored from 0-100, based on criteria provided by City Council & staff. By the end of the RFP period, only three companies — Advanced Disposal, Republic Services and Waste Industries — submitted citywide proposals. These "Big 3" were the only companies large enough to handle providing service to residents across the entire city.

Don't Forget the Little Guy

While everyone agreed that the price per customer should be the chief criteria used to judge each bid, some members of Council argued for other concerns to be included. Then Councilman khalid failed to persuade City Council to give additional points to companies whose workers had higher wages & safer working conditions.  However, a majority of Council did agree to give additional points to "local" companies.

From the first announcement that South Fulton was looking to "contract out" garbage collection, Councilmembers were approached by small sanitation companies already doing business in the area who worried they would be put out of business if the City chose one, citywide trash company. These "small haulers" lobbied Councilmembers in and out of Council meetings, warning that they would go bankrupt if forced out of South Fulton by big corporations.  

Then they lobbied citizens. As the deadline for Council's decision to pick a Sanitation Provider loomed, South Fulton residents began hearing from their beloved garbage man that he might soon be out of a job. Many residents loved their local provider and praised them for having lower prices & better customer service. Concerned constituents began to flood City Council phone lines and email inboxes, demanding the right to keep the current garbage collector.

Many on Council caved to this pressure from constituents and revised the Request for Proposal (RFP) to give "local preference" in the awarding of the contract(s). However, it also meant that larger companies with local operations would receive a similar consideration — an unforeseen consequence some would later regret. In the end, a compromise was reached that would allow citizens to select a garbage collector of their choice from an approved list of city vendors. However, the South Fulton's current Sanitation Ordinance provides no explicit penalties for companies who provide poor service and no set criteria to remove such companies from the City's list of approved vendors.  ​

SANITATION (TRASH COLLECTION) SURVEY

Please take the survey below to share your thoughts on how the city should move forward in providing citywide garbage collection.
The new City of South Fulton, Georgia is considering a move to a citywide sanitation (trash collection) service. Please share your thoughts.
    Not sure what District you live in? Input your address HERE to find out.
VOTE
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.

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.  
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$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.
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.​
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Sample Notice of Election postcard.
​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.

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. 

 ​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!

Appealing Your Property Tax Assessment

As the City of South Fulton improves public services and property values increase, some residents may notice an increase in their property taxes. These increased property taxes are how our city pays for new police officers and improved parks, streets and emergency services. When included in your house note and spread over the year, most increases amount to only a few dollars each month. However, residents who notice a sharp increase in their property tax assessments can file an appeal with the Fulton County Tax Assessor's Office.​
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How & When to Appeal Your Fulton County Property Tax Assessment
To File An Appeal Online:
Visit the Fulton County Tax Assessor's website at 
www.FultonAssessor.org, or simply click the link below to access the Online Services > SmartFile tool (see steps below).
File Property Tax Assessment Appeal Online
To File An Appeal By Mail:
Print the one-page Appeal Application at the button below and mail to:
Fulton County Tax Assessor
235 Peachtree Street NE
North Tower • 12th Floor
Atlanta, GA • 30303
Print Property Tax Assessment Appeal Application
To File An Appeal In Person:
Visit the Fulton County Tax Assessors office. 
​
Fulton County Tax Assessors Office
​South Fulton Annex
5600 Stonewall Rd, 30349 • Room 224
Monday-Friday • 8AM-4.30PM

History of Citywide Trash Service (cont'd)
​Future Murky for Merk Miles Dump

Merk/Miles Road Transfer Station
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​For years, Fulton County Residents have been able to drop off trash for as little as $3.50 for 3 bags. However, this service and the cost of operating the facility was heavily subsidized by the Fulton County Commission, who decided last year to end operations at the facility on December 31, 2018. After objections from several residents at December meeting, the Fulton Board of Commissioners decided to extend operations of the Merk/Miles facility until March 31, 2019.  

Merk/Miles was formally a landfill, but not operates as a Transfer Station. Trash dropped here is later transported to landfills & recycling centers outside the City of South Fulton. City officials are currently investing the cost to keep the facility open. Councilman khalid has suggested that Merk/Miles might be a cheaper alternative for homeowners who cannot afford the quarterly bill for private trash collection, but that the low cost of $3.50 for trash drop off would likely increase to make up for the lost funding from the County. ​

Things Fall Apart

City Council rejects recommendation of Advanced Disposal
In August, the South Fulton's Procurement Manager, Anthony Kerr, scored the proposals an announced the winner of the contract: Advanced Disposal. Ironically, the very thing that gave Advanced an advantage in its proposal — its local operation of a waste transfer station — may be a key factor in the company's failure to close the deal.

Per City Council's revised RFP, Advanced received extra points in its bid to be the citywide sanitation provider because it already operated a Waste Transfer Station on Welcome All Road, within the city limits.  However, residents complaints about pollution coming from the facility gave some council members pause. Others on Council were concerned about how commitments to work with smaller companies were scored in the procurement process.  ​

​The Council voted to reject the Procurement Manager's recommendation and called for a Special Public Meeting with all interested providers to question them directly and vote for a recommended provider.  However, just as the meeting was about to begin, Mayor Bill Edwards made a speech warning against the meeting. The meeting was canceled. ​​​​
With the Procurement Manager's recommendation rejected, the RFP process abandoned, a Public Hearing with possible providers canceled, and a transition deadline of November 2018 too close to put out a new RFP and start the bidding process anew, it fell to new City Manager Odie Donald to come up with a buzzer-beating play. The Sandy Springs, free-market model was the play. Residents would select from a list of city-approved providers who were supposed to compete with one another, resulting in lower prices for the consumer. ​

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.    ​

We Are Not Sandy Springs

Councilman khalid questions "Sandy Springs" model of privatized garbage collection & warns how implementation of such a program will be problematic.
From the very beginning, Councilman khalid was an outspoken advocate for a single, citywide garbage collector. As the selection process broke down, he urged colleagues not to abandon the principle that a single, citywide provider was the best option. In a speech before the vote to adopt this "Sandy Springs model", khalid warned it could fail in ways city leaders had not yet imagined. His predictions did not take long to come true.

The first bad news came from the Big 3 companies. Under the city's original (RFP) — which was discarded with the Procurement Manager's recommendation of Advanced Disposal — the city would have paid millions up front for residential garbage service, then worked to recoup that money from property owners via a city tax bill (the way citywide garbage service is paid for in Atlanta). However, under the Free Market model, each company bills each customer individually. When the Free Market Sanitation Model was announced, two of the Big 3 — Advanced and Republic – opted out of providing residential service, claiming they could not scale up their infrastructure of trucks & employees to service the entire city without the upfront payments outlined in the RFP

The next blow came from the small haulers. Upon implementation it became clear that the goal of their lobbying was never to compete with the Big 3, only to keep the turf they had. Unlike Sandy Springs, who has multiple vendors competing in a much smaller, more densely populated area, South Fulton's 100 square mile service delivery area had long ago been carved up by sanitation companies. Decades before we became a city, companies like Waste Industries bought the rights to "routes" (the right to drive trucks in particular areas) from smaller companies like Latham. The small haulers had no intentions of challenging big corporations for these routes. Only one company, Fulton Sanitation, expressed intent to expand its operations and compete for new business. For the others, it was simply not financially feasible to drive dozens of miles to collect trash at a few scattered addresses if they could not be guaranteed the right to service the entire area. Many small companies understood these financial realities from the beginning, even though City Council did not.

The final blow to the citywide model came in companies decision to pass along the city's new "infrastructure fee." Many cities charge garbage collectors this fee for the wear & tear on city streets by heavy garbage trucks. With no contract language or negotiation to stop them, most of the private garbage companies passed this 5 percent fee on to South Fulton residents. As a result, most South Fulton citizens have the same garbage companies to choose from today that they had before cityhood — but at higher prices.

2020

This current arrangement of Citywide Garbage Collection is set to expire in 2019. City Council is collecting feedback on how to move forward in 2020. The City's new Purchasing Department has been negotiating fees with approved service providers. Residents paying higher prices under previous, individual agreements for sanitation service should be eligible for the new, lower price. 

GFI (formally Waste Industries), the only provider serving all addresses in the City of South Fulton, is offering Trash Collection & Recycling for $59.54 per quarter — with additional discounts for seniors & veterans. They have also waived can delivery fees for new service.

Discussions of future service will also include how the city might use some portion of the $25 million in L.O.S.T. funds it receives for having citywide collection might be used to subsidize the price of garbage services for the elderly or less fortunate. Councilman khalid & others are still pushing for a single citywide provider. In light of recent events, his ideas appear to be gaining support.

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
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T-SPLOST
Tax Dollars Allocated to Street Repaving

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In November 2016, voters approved an additional 0.75 cents Transportation Special Projects Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) for road improvements in Fulton County. 
​
Click here to review a Complete List of South Fulton T-SPLOST Projects, which include nearly $10 million to resurface South Fulton's busiest streets, and another $24 million to repave and improve roads in South Fulton subdivisions. A description of South Fulton improvement projects begin on page 59 (Unincorporated Fulton). Tier 2 projects on Old National include bridge improvements on Bethsaida Road near Highway 139 (pg 119), $1 million to improve the intersection at Bethsaida & Creel Roads (pg 121), and another $1 million in improvements along Flat Shoals Road (pg 126). 
View All Southside T-SPLOST Projects
The Fulton County Public Works Department used the Paving Conditions Index to prioritize streets in the worst condition to be paved first. More streets will be paved in coming years. Click the button below to see if your street is on upcoming paving lists. Streets are listed by neighborhood/subdivision. If you feel your street needs immediate attention, please call our Public Works 24/7 Hotline at (470) 552-4311.
2017-21 Repaving Schedule (By Neighborhood)

Fulton County Demands $1 Million from City to Complete Old National Sidewalks; Millions More for Other Improvement Projects

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Some projects, such widening of Old National's sidewalks, and extending them to Highway 138 at the end of Fulton County, are not on the T-SPLOST project list. There is a second list of additional street projects called Capital Improvement Projects. 

These projects were not funded by Sales Taxes; and Fulton County alleges that South Fulton must "chip in" 20 percent of the total costs of such projects for them to be completed. According to Fulton County, South Fulton's 20 percent obligation to fund these projects is over $7 million dollars.

Though the sidewalks on Old National from College Park to Flat Shoals Road are nearly complete, Phase II of the side walks  —  from Flat Shoals to Highway 138  
—  has not yet begun. Funding for this phase of sidewalks is over $1 million. However, according to Fulton County Public Works Director David Clark, only about $210,000 is needed in 2018 to purchase right-of-ways from Flat Shoals to Highway 138, with another $138,000 due for other allegedly unfunded projects throughout the city.

View more details on this story in khalid's Budget report, and a complete list of funding requests for such projects below.
View Complete Project List
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Developers have once again set their sights on the land around our airport  —  the world's busiest. Aerotropolis Atlanta is a mixed-use development, including a 4-star InterContinental hotel, class-A office space, and travel plaza adjacent to the airport’s main domestic terminal and MARTA station, which along with the Porsche headquarters, is part of a larger vision by Invest Atlanta, Delta Airlines, Georgia Power, SunTrust Bank & others to transform the vicinity around the Airport on Atlanta's Southside. 

The initiative is broken into two segments  — ​ an organization of land owners in airport areas Business Districts, or CIDs in Fulton & Clayton counties, and a larger coalition working on a more comprehensive Economic Development plan. 
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Aerotropolis Districts
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