Press release [Nov. 24, 2003]

11-1905-5059

Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office
Room 131, State Capitol 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800

For Immediate Release:

November 24, 2003

Smith Calls for Hearing on Creation of City of Sandy Springs

Atlanta The Sandy Springs Subcommittee of the House State Planning and Community Affairs Committee met recently with residents of the Sandy Springs area to hear their request that the north Fulton community be allowed to form its own city.

The debate has raged for years over whether to allow Sandy Springs to strike out as a separate city. Residents want more say on how their property tax dollars are spent on local services such as fire protection and policing. Advocates of the plan note that the area is so densely populated it would automatically become Georgia's seventh largest city if granted a charter.

However, the City of Atlanta, and Fulton County governments are reluctant to give up the revenue generated by the community. It is estimated that Fulton County could lose as much as $27 million in annual revenue if the move were approved, which could lead to increased tax rates for remaining county residents.

The subcommittee was created by committee Chairman Tommy Smith (D-Alma) to gather information on the issue, and to facilitate discussions between residents and the local county delegation members. Rep. Smith chose Wallace Sholar (D-Cairo) to lead the subcommittee.

"My main goal was to get these people together in a room, and to get them talking to see where each side stands on the issue," said Smith. "To be honest, they don't seem to be too far from a resolution to the matter. So I would encourage them to continue their search for a compromise which could allow for a City of Sandy Springs, without hurting the other taxpayers in Fulton County."

# # # For further information contact Representative Smith at 404-656-5069