A City of South Fulton, Georgia Would Be Broke

After reading the recent article in the AJC about the struggles of Chattahoochee Hills and the other newly incorporated cities, I couldn't help but think what would have happen if we would taken the bait. My only conclusion is that we would be broke and begging Fulton County to help us trash our city charter. You can read the AJC article on www.southfultonliving.com

Johns Creek, Milton and Chatt Hills are having a rough go of it in this economy. If you didn't know Chatt Hills has more than doubled its millage rate to keep things going. Unfortunately for Johns Creek and Milton it's just not that easy. They fell for the okie doke along the lines of a much more commercialize Sandy Springs when they decided it would take a massive referendum to change the current millage rate from 4.731. They are now stripping down services to keep within the budget they've set. What's worse that can't borrow their way of this mess either. I suspect the General Assembly will unfairly search and find money in Fulton County's coffers for them.

Sandy Springs is a little better off since it has most of the commercial property and infrastructure (thanks to Fulton Industrial Boulevard). A city of South Fulton would have much fewer police officers and fire fighters. A streamlined Parks & Recreation Department would be none existent. Code Enforcement, Public Works and Community Development would be bare.

More than 70% of us made the right decision for more than the obvious reason. Although none of us saw the current recession coming, we did and do feel more comfortable with Fulton County as a known entity. Don't get me wrong we can definitely do for more park space, especially a tournament level baseball/softball facility. Fortunately, the break ins have slacked off due to more coverage by the police and sheriff's department. We can count our blessings.

I can't say the same for those who've chosen to be annexed into Atlanta, East Point, and Union City. I shake my head everyday as I drive down Danforth Road. It's hard to believe these folks gave up Fulton County for Atlanta's large deficits and weekly service cuts. Every week a new shoe drops or shall I saw a new card falls from the deck of cards inwhich the city appears to have been built. How soon will these folks deannex themselves? Things in Atlanta will continue to get worse until they start to lop off some of the upper level management. Just think the Sandtown Community almost made the same mistake. That community will never be the same after all this.

East Point is struggling mightily with its own financial woes. It didn't take a recession to
force its financial problems to rear its ugly head. East Point seems to be struggling that were made before the current administration took office - chiefly the tax abatement among other gifts at Camp Creek Marketplace.

Union City just has bit off far more than it could ever chew. Those guys didn't read the tea leaves correctly or just didn't read the writing on the wall. After all everybody and their grand pappy knew the sewer capacity along the South Fulton Parkway was limited - oops.

Chatt Hills officials are working for free and chipping in to cut the grass. I can imagine a city of South Fulton trying to get anyone to work for free yet alone cutting grass. I count myself as one of the fortunate ones.

Posted by South Fulton Living at 1/3/2009 8:42 PM
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