City of South Fulton, GA - khalid for Mayor
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CITY COUNCIL

Next City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 12 • 10AM

South Fulton's
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)
Watch City Council Meeting here LIVE
Tuesday, January 12 at 10AM
South Fulton's first City Council Meeting of 2021 begins this Tuesday at 10 AM. This month's relatively short agenda (286 pages) begins with hearings for liquor licenses and zoning requests. Topics for this meeting include a Request for a Zoning Modifications for the Bedford Estates off Camp Creek Parkway (pg. 131).  
Tuesday, January 12 Work Session Agenda & Docs
Other topics to be discussed in this meeting include a discussion about South Fulton's TSPLOST — the Transportation Local Option Sales Tax. In 2016 the Georgia State Legislature passed a bill authorizing counties to levy the tax. Fulton County residents voted to approve a 0.75-cent TSPLOST which raised South Fulton's sales tax to 7.75 cents on every dollar spent locally.
BREAKDOWN of SOUTH FULTON'S 7.75 CENT SALES TAX
4 cents - State of Georgia
3 cents - Fulton County (divided by Fulton cities based on population*)
0.75 cents - Transportation Improvement Projects  


*South Fulton has the 3rd highest population of Fulton County's 15 cities, behind Atlanta and Sandy Springs.
Over $500 million has been generated from the TSPLOST. This money has been spent on transportation improvements, such as street repaving, bridges, sidewalks and other transportation-related purposes.

The sales tax ends March 30, 2022. Now, South Fulton's Mayors must vote on whether or not to renew the tax for more years and what projects the money generated from the tax will be spent on — including a possible Bus Rapid Transit by MARTA down South Fulton Parkway.  
​
Tuesday, December 8 Regular Meeting Agenda & Docs

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. 

CITY CALENDAR


ZONING REWRITE HEARINGS
The City of South Fulton is overhauling its Zoning laws, which govern everything from what kinds of businesses are allowed in what areas of our city to what kinds of materials must be used in the construction of homes or commercial storefronts.
More Planning & Zoning Info

EMERGENCY  COUNCIL MEETING
Personnel & Litigation (City Attorney)
Wednesday, December 2 • 3.30PM
Read More

​REGULAR ​CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

November & December Regular Meeting Schedule
Work Session & Regular Meeting Combined

Tuesday, December 9 • 10AM
Work Sessions usually occur the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Work Sessions will not run longer than three hours, from 4PM to 7PM. City Council does not vote in Work Sessions, but uses them to discuss complex issues in deep detail.

Regular Meetings is where voting occurs. These meetings are usually held the 4th Tuesday of each month at 10AM. As is the case with many traditional government bodies, the most contentious topics are placed at the end of the agenda. Regular meetings currently have no set end-time. They begin with Proclamations, Zoning Hearings and Public Comment (this is where citizens can send in or deliver questions & comments directly to City Council). Historically, Council Meetings of this nature last about 6-8 hours.

Daytime meetings were proposed to accommodate daytime work hours of city staff, architects & lawyers for developers (who attend Zoning Hearings) as well as Senior residents. 

Emergency and Special Called Meetings may be called by the Mayor alone, or a quorum (majority) of City Council Members at any time as long as 48 hours notice is provided. 

SOUTH FULTON 101
Understanding Our New City

City of South Fulton, GA Map - Zoomable PDF (khalidCares.com/SouthFulton101)
City of South Fulton, GA (Zoomable PDF)

Do I live in the New City?
Who is My Councilperson?

FIND YOUR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT
Step 1: Click the button below 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.

South Fulton
​City Districts & Councilpeople

Click on Concilperson's name to send an email.
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, Fulton Industrial/FIB)
Catherine Rowell

(470) 809-7701
District 1 (Cascades) Map
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​
District 2 (Cliftondale) Map
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)
Helen Z. Willis
(470) 809-7703
District 3 (Welcome All) Map
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
(Cedar Grove, Hwy 92)
Naeema Gilyard

(470) 809-7704
District 4 (Cedar Grove) Map
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/Buffington Rd)
Corey Reeves
(470) 809-7705​
District 5 (FLAT SHOALS) Map
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
(Old National)​
Councilman khalid
(470) 809-7706​
District 6 (OlD NATIONAL) Map
Councilman Mark Baker 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)
Mark Baker
(470) 809-7707
District 7 (OaKLEY/Fife) Map
Learn More at South Fulton 101

CITY COUNCIL NEWS

South Fulton Names New City Manager

Smyrna City Manager Tammi Saddler Jones has been named as South Fulton's new Assistant City Manager. khalidCares.com/News
Smyrna City Manager Tammi Saddler Jones has been named as South Fulton's new Assistant City Manager.
November 2020 — Tammi Saddler-Jones, who joined the City of South Fulton’s executive leadership team in late October to serve as the Assistant City Manager, has been promoted to City Manager. The promotion came in in the wake of the sudden departure of former City Manager Odie Donald. The November 10 meeting will be Saddler-Jones' first in the new position. 

Saddler-Jones has over 20 years of experience in local government, most recently as the City Administrator for Smyrna since 2017. In 2018, Smyrna made Money Magazine’s 50 Best Places to Live in the United States. Tammi Saddler-Jones earned a Bachelor's in English from Tougaloo College, a Master of Public Administration degree from Ohio State University, and a certificate ICMA Leadership Program.

Executive Exodus:
City Manager, Clerk & HR Director Resign

Will Firings of City Attorney & CFO Be Next?

Executive Exodus: City Manager, Clerk & HR Director Resign Will Firing of City Attorney Be Next? (l. to r.) City Manager Odie Donald, City Clerk Diane White, HR Director Anquilla Henderson, City Attorney Emilia Walker khalidCares.com/News
(l. to r.) City Manager Odie Donald, City Clerk Diane White, HR Director Anquilla Henderson, City Attorney Emilia Walker
The final item in the 851-page agenda for South Fulton's City Council meeting this Tuesday is the implementation of House Bill (HB)  921. Earlier this year, State Legislators Roger Bruce & Debra Bazemore authored controversial House Bills (921 and 1019) which dramatically expanded the Mayor of South Fulton's power.

HB 921
 could force City Council to create an in-house legal department, estimated to cost between $600,000 and $1 million. City Council allocated no funds in its 2021 Budget to cover such costs. 

The appearance of this item on the Council Agenda comes just weeks after resignations by the City Manager, City Clerk and HR Director; and the resignations of the Assistant City Manager and Communications Director this Summer. 

Also on the Agenda for Tuesday is a City Charter Amendment that would abolish the role of City Treasurer and place the job of Chief Financial Officer under the City Manager's supervision. This means Mr. Milazi, who has served as both Treasurer & CFO since the City was founded, could also be fired this month. ​
Read More

Augusta Offers City Manger $240K.
​Will City Council Match Augusta's Offer?

Augusta-Richmond County offered Odie Donald $240K to become their County Manager. khalidCares.com/News
Augusta-Richmond County offered Odie Donald $240K to become their County Manager.
Thursday, October 13 — Last week, Augusta-Richmond's County Commission voted 9-1 to hire Odie Donald II, the city manager of South Fulton, Ga., at a salary of $240,000. The news comes shortly after an announcement of Assistant City Manager Melanie Winfield's resignation to pursue opportunities in the private sector.  

Donald was also a finalist for Savannah's City Administrator position. But Savannah never made Donald a job or salary offer and decided last week to eliminate all three of its finalists and begin the manager search anew, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson told the Augusta Chronicle. 


At the time of this publication, Mr. Donald has announced whether or not he will accept Augusta's offer. Whether or not the South Fulton's City Council will try to match Augusta's offer is also an open question, but Councilman khalid believes it is not a good idea. 

"We passed a City Budget with millions in unfunded public works projects and other issues our residents are eager to see addressed," says khalid. "I like Mr. Donald, but we cannot compete with Augusta — nor should we. They have a much bigger budget and the job there comes with a lot more responsibility."
Augusta-Richmond's total budget in 2019 was $852 million, as opposed to $100 million for the City of South Fulton. khalidCares.com/News
Augusta-Richmond's total budget in 2019 was $852 million, as opposed to $100 million for the City of South Fulton.
Augusta-Richmond is a consolidated city-county government with an $852 million-dollar budget. In addition to the functions of South Fulton's City Council, the 11 members of Augusta's Commission oversee a Board of Elections, airport, animal control, utility company, courts, and 21 citizen boards, including Housing, Ports and other development authorities. ​

In the meantime, City Manager Odie Donald has filled critical vacancies in the City's executive leadership with the hire of a highly-experienced Assistant City Manager (article above)
Read More

City Council Considers New Meeting Times

South Fulton's City Council is discussing changing its meeting times. In March, Council voted to move 4th Tuesday's Regular Meeting from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.  These meetings begin with Zoning Hearings — covering building applications from developers, liquor licenses for businesses, etc. — which last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours before 4th Tuesday's Regular Meeting Agenda begins. 

South Fulton Councilman khalid made the original suggestion to move these meetings to 10 a.m. to align with the work schedules of both Zoning Applicants & their attorneys, as well as out of concern for city staff. 

Since 2018, khalid has been calling for to begin Council Meetings in the mornings — as is the practice of Atlanta City Council and the Fulton County Commission. His 2018 proposal, which called for meetings to begin at 1 p.m., included a data trend analysis of all South Fulton Council Meetings since the city was formed (see below).  These data showed the average council meeting time ran 5.5 hours and was growing longer. 
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What Do Other City Councils Do?

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. 
Click to read South Fulton's entire FY 2021 Budget khalidCares.com/Budget
Click to read South Fulton's entire FY 2021 Budget.
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. 
2021 City Budget

#ShopSouthFulton - October Spotlight
​VVS Restaurant & Bar
6175 Old National Hwy, 30349

South Fulton Councilman khalid offers a Sneak Preview of the Southside's hottest new lounge: VVS Restaurant & Bar). From Versace wallpaper to a full menu of late-night dining featuring New Orleans Fusion Cuisine, owner Arle Alston has spared no expense. The Soft Opening is Thursday, October 15. The restaurant is open daily from 12PM to 2AM.

Make and see more #ShopSouthFulton recommendations at the link below.
Shop South Fulton

GOOD NEWS from SOUTH FULTON

Councilman khalid Remembers Civil Rights Legend John Lewis on CBS This Morning

Councilman khalid recalls meeting Congress John Lewis after reading his memoir, Walking with the Wind, which moved him to follow in Lewis' footsteps from protests to politics.  
Read More

 ​FREE Confidential HIV Testing
Now at Creel Park

Councilman khalid is on a mission to transform South Fulton's recreation centers into holistic, Community Health Centers. He kicked off this initiative — and National HIV Awareness Month — by bringing FREE, Confidential HIV Testing to Creel Park. Watch hiim take a live HIV test in the video below.

In his 2nd Video Newsletter, City of South Fulton Councilman khalid explains city plans to overhaul it's Parks & Recreation Department, which includes a study of the effectiveness of Athletic Associations, and bringing health screenings & Senior programming to more of the city's parks.  ​

Councilman khalid Promotes South Fulton at Facebook's NYC HQ

1 July 2019 — City of South Fulton, GA Councilman khalid tours Facebook/Instagram’s New York Headquarters with the company's Northeast Public Policy Director. khalid discussed how to build the City's brand and increase South Fulton's visibility on social media.

City of South Fulton is Hiring

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Georgia's 5th Largest City from the day of its inception, Atlanta's new Twin City, South Fulton, is always hiring. Click the links below to view current job postings & sign up for new job alerts at the links below. 
View Job Postings
Sign Up for Job Alerts
Donate to Councilman khalid's Mayoral Campaign via ActBlue https://secure.actblue.com/donate/khalidforMayor
Help Councilman khalid make America's Blackest City Black On Purpose.
South Fulton, GA: Atlanta's New Twin City & The Blackest City in America.
DONATE to khalid for Mayor
Text FULTON to 33777 for mobile alerts & email updates.
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