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NAACP Leaders Criticize South Fulton for Police Misuse of Force Case
City Rakes in More Than $2 Million on Speed Camera Tickets, Buys SWAT Tank
South Fulton's City Council voted to use $360,000 of $1.3 million in Speed Camera ticket money up on armored SWAT vehicle.
The City of South Fulton's School Zone Speed Cameras have raked in $1.3 million in six months. Original projections estimated the program would collect around $300,000 for the entire year.
Last month, City Council voted 5-to-2 to spend $360,000 of the $1.3 million collected in tickets to purchase armored S.W.A.T. vehicle known as a Bearcat (pictured above). Old National Councilman khalid objected, citing concerns over growing police budgets and activities. "We are not Ferguson," he said. "We cannot police our way to prosperity." The balance of Speed Camera funds left after the purchase of the armored vehicle is $1 million — and growing (tickets are still be issued day and night at $150 or more). Councilman khalid is calling for the remaining funds to be spent on pedestrian safety projects such as crosswalks and speed bumps. "If the goal of the speed cameras was to improve pedestrian safety — the money generated from all these tickets should be spent on pedestrian safety."
CITY COUNCILNext City Council Meeting
South Fulton City Council (l to r): Catherine Rowell (District 1, Cascade) ● Carmalitha Gumbs (District 2, Cliftondale) ● Helen Z. Willis (District 3, Welcome All) ● Mayor William "Bill" Edwards ● Naeema Gilyard (District 4, Cedar Grove) ● Corey Reeves (District 5, Flat Shoals) ● Councilman khalid (District 6, Old National) ● Mark Baker (District 7, Hwy 138)
Wednesday, April 27 • 4PM
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CITY CALENDARREGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
2ND & 4TH TUESDAYS at 4PM 
South Fulton's 2021 City Council Meeting Schedule (click to enlarge)
Work Sessions usually occur the 2nd Tuesday of each month (see 2021 schedule above). Work Sessions will not run longer than two hours, from 4PM to 6PM. City Council does not vote in Work Sessions, but uses them to discuss complex issues in deep detail.
Zoning Hearings now follow City Council's 2nd Tuesday Work Sessions (they were previously held before 4th Tuesday's Regular Meetings). They usually begin at 6PM. Zoning Hearing is where City Council hears requests from developers to rezone land for buildings or apply for liquor licenses or other Special Use permits. In 2019, Councilman khalid worked with the Planning & Zoning Department (CDRA) to author the Moratorium Against Like Uses, which halted permits businesses already over-represented in our communities (beauty shops, dollar stores, tires shops, etc.) to come before City Council for a vote. Though Councilman khalid's desire was to make these restrictions permanent, they incorporated into our new Zoning Code as Special Use Permits, meaning that these business can still apply for and receive permits — but only by a vote of a majority of City Council. The general public is allowed to weigh in on each and every individual Zoning. Click the link below to learn about pending Zoning requests and contact Councilman khalid with your questions or comments. Regular Meetings is where South Fulton's City Council votes on new laws and policies. These meetings are usually held the 4th Tuesday of each month at 4PM. As is the case with many traditional government bodies, the current Mayor often places the most contentious topics at the end of the agenda. Regular meetings currently have no set end-time. Historically, Council Meetings of this nature last about 6-8 hours. They begin with Proclamations, and Public Comment. Public Comment is the only point in Council Meetings where citizens can ask questions or make comments directly to City Council about any topics on the meeting agenda. Emergency and Special Called Meetings may be called by the Mayor alone, or a supermajority of 5 City Council Members at any time as long as 48 hours notice is provided. Text FULTON to 33777 to receive alerts and agendas for upcoming City Council Meetings. SOUTH FULTON 101
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Councilman khalid Announces Bid for Mayor in November 2021
Sept 3, 2020 — South Fulton's Old National Councilman khalid announces his campaign for Mayor, 400 days before the November 2, 2021 election. In his announcement speech, he challenged South Fulton, America's Blackest city, to be "Black on purpose." He remarked that South Fulton should be the model for Black health interventions, policies that end the environmental racism, youth interventions that end the school-to-prison pipeline and economic policies that keep money circulating in the Black community and throughout the African diaspora. Click the video above to watch the entire speech.
khalid made the decision to launch his campaign last September in the middle of the city's 2021 budget preparation to draw attention to systemic disinvestment in working class areas like Old National — highlighting a years-long blighted house just steps from his childhood home. In 2020, current Mayor Bill Edwards and other members of Council proposed a 2 mil increase even as economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic are widening the racial wealth gap. khalid successfully campaigned to cut the tax increase by half. He then lobbied to ensure the new revenues would be used exclusively for service delivery and infrastructure improvements.
khalid made the decision to launch his campaign last September in the middle of the city's 2021 budget preparation to draw attention to systemic disinvestment in working class areas like Old National — highlighting a years-long blighted house just steps from his childhood home. In 2020, current Mayor Bill Edwards and other members of Council proposed a 2 mil increase even as economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic are widening the racial wealth gap. khalid successfully campaigned to cut the tax increase by half. He then lobbied to ensure the new revenues would be used exclusively for service delivery and infrastructure improvements.
SOUTH FULTON'S 2021 BUDGET
A primary responsibility of every level of government — from Congress to your local City Council — is passing a Budget. The City Budget determines how tax dollars collected by the city are spent. The Calendar by which governments (and businesses) spend money is known as the Budget Year or Fiscal Year (FY).
The City of South Fulton's Fiscal Year begins each October 1 (just like a school calendar, where the 2021 School Year begins in Fall 2020).
The Federal Government's Fiscal Year also beings October 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County begins January 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County Schools begins July 1.
The Fiscal Year for the State of Georgia begins July 1.
The City of South Fulton's Fiscal Year begins each October 1 (just like a school calendar, where the 2021 School Year begins in Fall 2020).
The Federal Government's Fiscal Year also beings October 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County begins January 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County Schools begins July 1.
The Fiscal Year for the State of Georgia begins July 1.
FY 2021 Budget & Dec 2020 YTD Expenses
After holding several Public Hearings to get citizen feedback on the 2021 Budget, South Fulton's City Council will make final decisions on the budget at a Special Council Meeting this Tuesday.
Our 2021 Complete Budget is nearly $110 Million, including T-SPLOST, federal grants and special funds. Learn more on our Budget Page at the link below.
Our 2021 Complete Budget is nearly $110 Million, including T-SPLOST, federal grants and special funds. Learn more on our Budget Page at the link below.
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