Fulton County Looks to Citizens of Sandy Springs and Other Cities for Budget Input

Mark your calendars for the start of the more than two months of Fulton County budget wrangling, starting with public hearings held by the Board of Commissioners in Roswell, Sandy Springs, Atlanta and College Park.

The Board of Commissioners wants – and is required to request – input and suggestions on the 2013 General Fund and South Fulton Tax District Fund budgets.

The public hearings will provide Fulton County citizens an opportunity to obtain information about the budget process and to lend their voice to decision making, according to a news release from the county. The Board of Commissioners welcomes and encourages all residents to participate in the hearings that are scheduled as follows: 

• Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  - Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility, 677 Fairburn Road, N.W., Atlanta
• Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 3 p.m. - Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive, Sandy Springs
• Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 7 p.m. - Johns Creek Environmental Campus, 8100 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell
• Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 6 p.m. - Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, Atlanta
• Thursday, October 18, 2012,  7 p.m. - Cliftondale Multipurpose Center Theater, 4645 Butner Road, College Park
• Wednesday, January 2, 2013, 10 a.m. - Fulton County Government Center, Assembly Hall, 141 Pryor Street, Atlanta

The county "freed up" $17 million by restructuring Grady debt service so no payment has to be made next year. But that act causes the county to be in debt by $32 million by extending the end of payments by 8 years, from 2020 to 2028, according to a news release by Commissioner Robb Pitts. He and North Fulton District 3 Commissioner Liz Hausman, voted against the bond restructuring. But they lost the vote to the other five commissioners.

And what does a budget for Fulton County look like? Take a look at this budget document for 2012.