6-22-10: Board of Commissioners OPPOSES Attempt by City of Sandy Springs to be Exempted from Pre-Clearance requirements of Voting Rights of 1965

The Board of Commissioners has gone on record in opposition to an attempt by the City of Sandy Springs to be exempted from federal laws prohibiting discrimination in voting practices including certain provisions that apply only to states (like the State of Georgia) with a history of discriminatory voting practices.

Created in 2005 by a referendum which excluded residents of a predominately minority area, the City of Sandy Springs claims it should be exempted because it is “less than 10 years old.”  A copy of the Resolution has been forwarded to the Mayor and City Council of Sandy Springs and to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Voting YES: Boxill, Eaves, Edwards, Darnell

Voting NO: Lowe, Riley

NO VOTE: Pitts

Click here for the “Resolution Opposing the City of Sandy Springs Request to be Exempted from Voting Rights Act of 1965”

6-22-10: Grants to Non-Profit Agencies To Support Programs for Children and Youth

The Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved F.R.E.S.H. Grants in the amount of $1,850,000 and F.R.E.S.H. Enhancement Grants in the amount of $709,815 to support programs providing direct services to children and their families 0-21 years from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 as amended.

Click here for the “F.R.E.S.H. (Children and Youth) Grants to Non-Profit Agencies in District 5”

6-22-10: Grants to Non-Profit Partners to Support Human Services Programs

The BOC approved Human Services Grants in the amount of $4,683,169 and Human Services Enhancement Grants in the amount of $750,000 to provide direct services in the area of Senior Home Repair and Senior Transportation.

Voting YES: Eaves, Edwards Darnell, Boxill, Lowe, Pitts

Voting NO: Riley

3-23-10: LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Milton County Legislation "HR 21"

Contact the following members of the Fulton County Delegation, Georgia House of Representatives today to express your opposition to cuts in services and tax increases in Fulton County if this Bill passes.

According to Finance Officials, Atlanta Taxpayers will see a 22%-26% increase in property taxes if this legislation passes.  South Fulton Schools will also be separated from the Fulton County School System.  Cuts in Fulton County services will include Grady Hospital, Libraries, Health Centers, and Senior Centers.

Click here for the "Fulton County House Delegation: 2010 Session- Georgia General Assembly"

3-18-10: Campaign Contribution: Financial Disclosure Resolution Fails (Again)

A Resolution by Darnell to require persons seeking county contributions over $50,000 to list the dollar amount of contributions to members of the Board of Commissioners fails due to the lack of four (4) affirmative votes:

Voting Yes: Edwards, Darnell

Voting No: Riley, Boxill

NOT Voting (but present): Pitts, Lowe, Eaves

The Resolution was introduced at the February 17 meeting of the Board of Commissioners and failed due to the lack of four (4) affirmative votes:

Voting YES: Darnell, Edwards

NOT Voting (but present): Pitts, Eaves

Absent: Boxill, Lowe

Click here for Agenda Item “directing the County Manager and Purchasing Director to develop administrative regulations for the disclosure of campaign contributions by entities seeking County contracts.”

3-18-10: "Grant Application Procedures: Special Programs: Senior Housing and Transportation; Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Grants"

Click here the "Human Services Approval of recommendations related to FY2010-2011 Human Services and F.R.E.S.H. Grants"

2-17-10: "Resolution Directing the County Manager and Purchasing Director to Develop Administrative Regulations for the Disclosure of Campaign Contributions by Entities seeking County Contract"

Held: (For full Board Review and Action)

Click here for "Resolution (relating to) Disclosure of Campaign contributions (Darnell)"

2-17-10: “Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Grant Program $750,000”

Report Received

Click here for the 2010 Enhancement Updates: F.R.E.S.H Program

2-17-10: FY 2010 “Senior Housing and Transportation Enhancement Grant Program $375,000”

Report Received

Click here for the Health and Human Services Budget Enhancement Updates: Senior Housing and Transportation

2-17-10: Approval of the January Payment Voucher Expenditure Report

Click here for  more information...

2-17-10: Jail Health Services Contract

Click here for  more information... 

2-17-10: "Library (Construction) Program: Selection of Program Manager"

Held: To receive cost data and to review Selection Committee procedures

Yes: Darnell, Eaves, Edwards, Pitts, Riley

Absent: Boxill, Lowe

Click here for  the "(Recommended) Contract Award: Jacobs with GMG ($3,334,928)"

2-17-10: Human Services Perishable and Non-Perishable Food Contract

Click here for  more information... 

Report Received

2-8-10: Racial Profiling Report"

Report Received: Public Safety Departments to develop accurate and reliable reports to evaluate (1.) training programs and (2.) officer stops

Click here for the "Racial Profiling - Quarterly Report"

2-8-10: EEO Data: 4th Quarter "Complaints" Report

Click here for  more information...

1-26-10: Juvenile Crime and Prevention Grants: F.R.E.S.H. Grant Programs

The F.R.E.S.H Grant Program to support children and youth received enhanced funding in the amount of $750,000 to support public and private agencies which have achieved measurable results in the prevention of Juvenile Crime and delinquency within incorporated and unincorporated Fulton County.

1-26-10: Environment and Environmental Justice

Staff Support to Commission on the Environment and Green Team: $75,000

Proposed cuts in the County’s Environment and Environmental Justice Program were restored. The

Commission on the Environment provides assistance to the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners in the development and implementation of board policy. The City of Atlanta, the County’s largest city has been classified by federal authorities as a “non – attainment” area. A national magazine recently rated Atlanta as the most “toxic city” in the U.S.

District 5 has the highest concentration of sewage treatment plants, combined sewers, land-fills and hazardous waste sites in Fulton County, according to staff officials.

Environmental planners and enforcement personnel will also provide support to the County’s (interdepartmental) “Green Team”.

Other Budget Highlights

Noting Dr. King was born in Fulton County, Georgia “and is buried here,” the Board of Commissioners joined the national celebration of the 81st Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1-8-10: County Manager Submits (Revised) Tentative Budget; 4% Salary Cut Reversed

Based upon “additional funds identified”, the County Manager reversed a (proposed) across-the-board 4% salary cut equivalent to 10 unpaid holidays. The recommendation had been a part of the “Tentative Budget” approved by the Board of Commissioners on December 16, 2009. The “Final Budget” has been scheduled for review and approval on January 20, 2010.