City of South Fulton, GA - News & Events
Atlanta's Twin City & American Capitol of the African Diaspora
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Just weeks after Hamas' October 7 attack, Mayor khalid interviewed Ashriel Moore — a Black Israeli living near Gaza — during Courageous Conversations LIVE.
The conversation influenced Mayor khalid to close his office last month to join a worldwide protest for a ceasefire in Gaza. |
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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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). 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 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 |
City Employees Come Forth as Corruption Investigations Continue
Former City of South Fulton employees are coming forth to confirm allegations of a hostile work environment in City Hall and misconduct in the City of South Fulton Police Department (SFPD). Individuals involved in recent investigations of South Fulton Police — including SFPD's Detective of the Year — have filed a federal discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
May 4, 2022 South Fulton City Manager Tammi Saddler Jones sent a memo to South Fulton's City Council warning of threats and intimidation by a Councilmember to stop the investigation of misconduct in the South Fulton Police Department. The investigation was halted and transferred to the Smyrna Police Department.
July 5, 2022 Smyrna Police concluded their independent investigation, which validated the results of the original HR investigation, substantiating claims of a "hostile work environment," and suggesting a "highly probable criminal violation of theft." Smyrna Police interviewed over twenty South Fulton Police officers, seven of whom gave polygraphed statements that the Chief of Police was made aware of ongoing issues of misconduct.
On July 18, 2022 — after attempting to raise the issue behind closed doors with City Council, and being denied access to read the report by the City Manager, City Attorney and Police Chief — South Fulton Mayor khalid held a press conference on the steps of his Camelot apartment to notify citizens about the ongoing issue and call for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) to look into the matter.
On July 22, 2022, South Fulton City Council made a unanimous Vote of No Confidence in the Mayor, alleging they knew nothing of the investigation. However, in September, Smyrna Police responded to Open Records requests by South Fulton residents and released the entire report which City Council ordered after being notified in May by City Manager Jones of possible interference into HR's original investigation of the police. Click below to read the memo and full Smyrna report.
May 4, 2022 South Fulton City Manager Tammi Saddler Jones sent a memo to South Fulton's City Council warning of threats and intimidation by a Councilmember to stop the investigation of misconduct in the South Fulton Police Department. The investigation was halted and transferred to the Smyrna Police Department.
July 5, 2022 Smyrna Police concluded their independent investigation, which validated the results of the original HR investigation, substantiating claims of a "hostile work environment," and suggesting a "highly probable criminal violation of theft." Smyrna Police interviewed over twenty South Fulton Police officers, seven of whom gave polygraphed statements that the Chief of Police was made aware of ongoing issues of misconduct.
On July 18, 2022 — after attempting to raise the issue behind closed doors with City Council, and being denied access to read the report by the City Manager, City Attorney and Police Chief — South Fulton Mayor khalid held a press conference on the steps of his Camelot apartment to notify citizens about the ongoing issue and call for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) to look into the matter.
On July 22, 2022, South Fulton City Council made a unanimous Vote of No Confidence in the Mayor, alleging they knew nothing of the investigation. However, in September, Smyrna Police responded to Open Records requests by South Fulton residents and released the entire report which City Council ordered after being notified in May by City Manager Jones of possible interference into HR's original investigation of the police. Click below to read the memo and full Smyrna report.
Mayor khalid says he held Monday's Press Conference because the demotion or termination of several of those officers was imminent, and because "failure to expose corruption wherever discovered" is one of the reasons for removal listed in the City Charter. The matter has been referred to the Office of Georgia's Attorney General, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) and others.
The police investigation and attempts by some to suppress it highlight a hostile work environment within South Fulton City Hall, further evidenced by the Exit Interview of the city's most recent department head. More than 120 South Fulton staff members have resigned in the past year.
The police investigation and attempts by some to suppress it highlight a hostile work environment within South Fulton City Hall, further evidenced by the Exit Interview of the city's most recent department head. More than 120 South Fulton staff members have resigned in the past year.
After two investigations substantiated the hostile work environment claims, City Council paid a private law firm to conduct a third investigation which exonerated Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis and Police Chief Keith Meadows of any wrongdoing. However, the matter is still being investigated by the EEOC and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI).
FULTON DISTRICT ATTORNEY INVESTIGATES CITY FINANCES
This Summer, City Council asked the Fulton County District Attorney (DA)'s office to investigate the city credit cards of Mayor khalid former Mayor Pro Tem Mark Baker — his most staunch ally on City Council.
Residents began requesting to see the P-Cards for all of City Council. When the District Attorney's office received them, they broadened their investigation to include credit cards of the entire City Council and other city departments — including the City Attorney and Police Department. |
During his Inaugural Address in January, Mayor khalid called for a forensic audit of all City finances. His initiative echoed calls for such audits made by resident activists for years. City Council chose instead to conduct targeted audits of departments and individuals. However, when it was revealed during recent Budget Hearings that over $600,000 was missing from a Speed Bump fund created by Mayor khalid, the calls for a citywide forensic audit have resumed.
In response to recent controversies regarding possible violations of Georgia Open Meetings laws — including an investigation by Georgia's Attorney General into overcharging of fees for Open Records Requests — Mayor khalid partnered with the First Amendment Foundation & the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Law to offer citizens a full course on Open Meetings & Executive Session laws. The university Law professors offered a profoundly different opinion from South Fulton's City attorney about what is allowed to be discussed in Executive Session and shared with the public about it. South Fulton City Council holds Executive Sessions at nearly every Work Session and Regular Meeting — often lasting an hour or more — a practice uncommon in any of Georgia's other 536 cities.
EDWARDS LOYALISTS OBSTRUCT NEW MAYOR'S AGENDA
Much of the mudslinging seems to be a result of Edwards loyalists on City Council who oppose new South Fulton Mayor khalid's agenda. One member of Council even vowed during a City Council retreat to make khalid "a one-term Mayor."
Before Mayor khalid was even sworn into office, Couuncilmembers loyal to previous Mayor Bill Edwards began changing South Fulton's City Charter to reduce the new Mayor's powers — to appoint department heads, veto items and make the agendas for Council Meetings.
Before Mayor khalid was even sworn into office, Couuncilmembers loyal to previous Mayor Bill Edwards began changing South Fulton's City Charter to reduce the new Mayor's powers — to appoint department heads, veto items and make the agendas for Council Meetings.
Follow Mayor khalid on Social Media
CITY CALENDAR
2023 CITY HOLIDAYS
City of South Fulton & Federal Governments Fiscal Year begins October 1
Georgia & Atlatna's Fiscal Year begins July 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) Memorial Day thru Labor Day 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 Mayor's Office Closed for Summer Fridays Juneteeth Independence Day Labor Day Indigenous Peoples' Day Election Holiday Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas Kwanzaa (Mayor's Office only) New Year's Eve |
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 2ND & 4TH TUESDAYS at 4PM
(No City Council Meetings in June)
July Council Meeting is 3rd Tuesday, July 18
(No City Council Meetings in June)
July Council Meeting is 3rd Tuesday, July 18
Work Sessions (2nd Tuesdays) 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.
Work Sessions are held at Welcome All Park:
4255 Will Lee Road, 30349
Regular Meetings (4th Tuesdays) usually occur the 4th Tuesday of each month (see 2023 schedule above). Regular Meetings tend to run around 5 hours, from 4PM to 9PM. These are the meetings where City Council votes; and where any Citizen can come make Public Comment.
Regular Meetings are held at Southwest Arts Center:
915 New Hope Road, 30331
Prior to Mayor's khalid's administration, Council Meetings lasted around 6.5 hours. He has reduced meeting times to under 5 hours.
Work Sessions are held at Welcome All Park:
4255 Will Lee Road, 30349
Regular Meetings (4th Tuesdays) usually occur the 4th Tuesday of each month (see 2023 schedule above). Regular Meetings tend to run around 5 hours, from 4PM to 9PM. These are the meetings where City Council votes; and where any Citizen can come make Public Comment.
Regular Meetings are held at Southwest Arts Center:
915 New Hope Road, 30331
Prior to Mayor's khalid's administration, Council Meetings lasted around 6.5 hours. He has reduced meeting times to under 5 hours.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment occurs near the beginning of the Voting Meeting, after approving the Agenda and issuing Proclamations. This is the only point in Council Meetings where citizens can ask questions or make comments directly to City Council. City Council amended Public Comment rules so that only South Fulton residents and business owners can make Public Comments or ask questions; and can only do so for items on the Agenda approved by City Council the day of the meeting. While residents can send in or sign up to make comments using an online form, the best way to ensure your voice is heard is to:
Zoning Hearings now follow City Council's 2nd Tuesday Work Sessions (they were previously held before 4th Tuesday's Regular Meetings). They usually begin around 6:30PM. Zoning Hearings are where City Council hears requests from developers to rezone land for buildings or apply for liquor licenses or other Special Use permits. The items heard at the 2nd Tuesday meetings are usually voted on in the following 4th Tuesday meeting.
In 2019, then-Councilman khalid worked with the Planning & Zoning Department (CDRA) to author the Moratorium Against Like Uses, which halted permits for businesses already over-represented in our communities (beauty shops, dollar stores, tire 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 businesses can still apply for and receive permits — but only by a vote of a majority of City Council.
In 2023, City Council voted to amend the Zoning Code so that any resident interested in listing their home as a short-term rental (AirBnB, Vrbo, etc) must receive a Special Use Permit — voted on by City Council — to do so. These are now also heard at 2nd Tuesday Zoning Hearings. Homeowners applying for Short Term Rental Permits must be present (or have a representative present) for their Zoning Case to be heard and Special Permit granted.
Residents may come to speak in favor or opposition of each proposed development, liquor lisence or short-term rental, separate from regular Public Comment.
- Attend the Council Meeting in Person
- Arrive by 3:50 p.m. and reqiest a Speaker's Card from the City Clerk
Zoning Hearings now follow City Council's 2nd Tuesday Work Sessions (they were previously held before 4th Tuesday's Regular Meetings). They usually begin around 6:30PM. Zoning Hearings are where City Council hears requests from developers to rezone land for buildings or apply for liquor licenses or other Special Use permits. The items heard at the 2nd Tuesday meetings are usually voted on in the following 4th Tuesday meeting.
In 2019, then-Councilman khalid worked with the Planning & Zoning Department (CDRA) to author the Moratorium Against Like Uses, which halted permits for businesses already over-represented in our communities (beauty shops, dollar stores, tire 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 businesses can still apply for and receive permits — but only by a vote of a majority of City Council.
In 2023, City Council voted to amend the Zoning Code so that any resident interested in listing their home as a short-term rental (AirBnB, Vrbo, etc) must receive a Special Use Permit — voted on by City Council — to do so. These are now also heard at 2nd Tuesday Zoning Hearings. Homeowners applying for Short Term Rental Permits must be present (or have a representative present) for their Zoning Case to be heard and Special Permit granted.
Residents may come to speak in favor or opposition of each proposed development, liquor lisence or short-term rental, separate from regular Public Comment.
You can watch the previous Planning Commission Meeting on this issue, and all other Zoning Hearings, at the link below.
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
Do I live in the City of South Fulton?
Who is My Councilperson?
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 below).
Step 2: Enter Your Street Address in the Fulton County Voting Districts Map.
Scroll down to see your City Voting District (see example below).
City of South Fulton
Councilmembers
Click on Concilperson's name to send an email.
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.
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.
Edwards Loyalists Obstruct New Mayor
City Councilmembers have silenced their critics, blocking and reporting those who dissent on Facebook and NextDoor (see rigjht); voting — in an unpublished Agenda at a Council Retreat outside city limits — to remove comments from YouTube broadcasts of City Council meetings; and passing a Resolution limiting who can speak during Public Comment at City Council meetings and what they can speak about.
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Now, they have now set their sights on the city's administrative staff; moving oversight of the City Clerk (keeper of South Fulton's official records) to Council; giving the City Manager — whom City Council can fire — authority to sign contracts & agreements City Council enters into that the Mayor will not sign; and creating new city departments (against the recommendations of the City Manager) to control City communications, its hiring of temporary staff and conduct of financial investigations.
Much of the mudslinging seems to be a result of Edwards loyalists on City Council who oppose new South Fulton Mayor khalid's agenda. One member of Council even vowed during a City Council retreat to make khalid "a one-term Mayor."
Before Mayor khalid was even sworn into office, Couuncilmembers loyal to previous Mayor Bill Edwards began changing South Fulton's City Charter to reduce the new Mayor's powers — to appoint department heads, veto items and make the agendas for Council Meetings.
Much of the mudslinging seems to be a result of Edwards loyalists on City Council who oppose new South Fulton Mayor khalid's agenda. One member of Council even vowed during a City Council retreat to make khalid "a one-term Mayor."
Before Mayor khalid was even sworn into office, Couuncilmembers loyal to previous Mayor Bill Edwards began changing South Fulton's City Charter to reduce the new Mayor's powers — to appoint department heads, veto items and make the agendas for Council Meetings.
NAACP Leaders Criticize South Fulton for Police Misuse of Force Case
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