[7:51] In transcript of this meeting, or if you need reasonable accommodations, including this communication in an alternative format due to disability, please contact the clerk to the Commission's office at 404-612-8232.

[11:31] All right, good morning, everyone, and welcome to the first regular meeting of the full County Board of Commissioners. Today is Wednesday, December 3, 2025, and it's 10.03 a.m., Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

[11:46] Chairman, President.

[11:47] Commissioner Bridget Thorne, President, Vice Chairman Bob Ellis, President. Commissioner Dana Barrett, Commissioner Moe Ivory,

[11:55] President, Commissioner Marvin, Airington, Jr.

[11:59] President.

[11:59] Commissioner Cadizia Abdul-Rachman, Mr. Chairman, you have a call.

[12:03] Thank you, Madam Clerk.

[12:04] Please rise for the invocation followed by the pledge of allegiance.

[12:13] Let us pray.

[12:15] Almighty God will give you thanks for this day for you continue grace and mercy upon our

[12:20] lives.

[12:21] We pray now.

[12:22] We bless those who are at the business of doing for food and county today.

[12:26] let's our leaders, give them your strength and direction.

[12:30] It is your name, we humbly pray, amen.

[12:34] I pledge allegiance to the flag,

[12:36] the United States,

[12:42] the nation, the God,

[12:43] and the visible, liberty, the justice for all.

[12:53] Continuum Matter Clerk.

[12:55] On page two, consent agenda.

[12:58] 25, 0899, adoption of the consent agenda.

[13:02] Our matters listed on the consent agenda

[13:03] are considered routine by the County Commission.

[13:05] and will be enacted by one motion.

[13:08] No separate discussion will take place on these items.

[13:11] If discussion of any consent agenda item is desired,

[13:14] the item will be moved to the first regular meeting

[13:16] in gender for separate consideration.

[13:20] I mean, nothing, all right, commissioners.

[13:23] All right, then we'll say the motion to adopt.

[13:25] Motion to do so by commission of Barrett's seconded

[13:28] by commission of thorn.

[13:30] Please vote.

[13:33] And the vote of Doctor.

[13:39] And the motion passes six shades, zero nays.

[13:42] five.

[13:44] First regular meeting agenda.

[13:47] Twenty five zero nine one seven.

[13:50] Adoption of the first regular meeting agenda.

[13:54] All right.

[13:54] Motion.

[13:55] Anything.

[13:55] Madam Clerk.

[13:57] I don't have anything.

[13:58] All right.

[13:58] The motion to adopt by Commissioner Barrett.

[14:00] Seconded by Commissioner Ivory.

[14:02] Please vote.

[14:04] And the vote is open.

[14:10] And the motion passes unanimously.

[14:12] Twenty five zero nine one eight ratification

[14:14] minutes, first regular meeting minutes, November 5th, second regular meeting posted in the

[14:19] minutes, November 19th, 2025.

[14:22] All right, motion two approved by Commissioner Ivory, seconded by Commissioner Vera, please

[14:27] vote.

[14:29] And the vote is open.

[14:35] And the motion passes six shades, zero nays, on page six, 25, 0 9 1 9, presentation

[14:44] of proclamations and certificates.

[14:47] The first proclamation is recognizing Jessica McNair, appreciation day sponsored by Chairman Pitz with full board support.

[15:24] Can we get Jessica and all of our law enforcement?

[15:49] You all come in. It is with great honor and pleasure

[16:00] that I bring forth this proclamation, and this is full board, whereas on November 7, 2025,

[16:09] Allied Security Officer Jessica McNair assigned to the East Atlanta Library under contract

[16:16] with the Fulton County Police Department demonstrated extra-ordinary courage and decisive action

[16:23] while performing her duties, and whereas Officer McNair discovered a library patron who was

[16:30] unconscious and not breathing from an apparent drug overdose in a public

[16:34] restroom and whereas Officer McNair immediately responded by pulling the

[16:40] individual to safety and performing CPR without hesitation. And whereas as

[16:46] an automated external defibrillator was being prepared for use, the individual

[16:52] regained consciousness due to Officer McNair's effective and timely CPR

[16:58] efforts, and where is because of officer McNair's training, professionalism, and composure

[17:05] under pressure, the individual made a full recovery exemplifying the highest standards of public

[17:12] service and dedication to the safety and well-being of others, and where as her swift actions

[17:19] not only save their life, but also grow great credit to herself, allied universal security services

[17:27] and the Fulton County Police Department. So is with great pride that now therefore be resolved

[17:34] that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners recognizes and commends officer Jessica McNeill

[17:41] for her life-saving measures, courage and outstanding commitment to protecting the citizens and visitors

[17:49] of Fulton County, and does hear about proclaim, Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, as Jessica

[17:58] McNair, Appreciation Day in Fulton County, Georgia, would you please put your hands together?

[18:07] And we're going to get the Fulton County to see for police to come and say somebody.

[18:14] Good morning, everybody. We have a relationship with allied security that has spanned over five

[18:19] years with 125 employees and every day those employees come to work, hoping to help somebody.

[18:26] And on this day, Officer McNair came to work and saved somebody's life, which is a huge

[18:32] deal.

[18:33] Number one, number two, she did CPR for 10 minutes on this person.

[18:37] And I don't know if anyone is actually ever done CPR outside of CPR training.

[18:41] But after about three minutes, you're done and ready to stop.

[18:45] She went for 10 full minutes.

[18:48] She could barely stand after she saved this person's life.

[18:51] We are so proud of her and so happy to work with her every day.

[19:03] Officer, can we get a few words?

[19:13] I'm a little short, y'all.

[19:17] I want to start off firstly by thanking Alight and Don and Olive.

[19:22] My superior is that our friend needs him

[19:24] for being able to equip me with everything that I needed

[19:28] To be able to act and respond quickly and adequately concerning the situation.

[19:33] I would like to thank my family for being here today in recognition of being in my loved ones.

[19:41] I really don't have much to say, but there's nothing to do with it, honestly.

[19:48] Thank you.

[21:00] So the last proclamation is recognizing human rights day, sponsored by Commissioner Barrett, with full board support.

[21:21] We've got the Fulton County Office of Diversity and Civil Rights Compliance coming down to join us for this proclamation.

[21:30] And it's, you know, we're doing this today honoring human rights because coming up on December 10th, it's international human rights day.

[21:37] So, I will just get straight to the proclamation.

[21:40] It reads, whereas the universal declaration of human rights adopted on December 10, 1948,

[21:47] affirms the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people,

[21:50] and continues to guide efforts worldwide to protect freedom,

[21:53] justice, and equality for every individual.

[21:56] And whereas the declaration establishes multiple rights, such as freedom,

[22:01] equal dignity, freedom of movement, peace, and the overall worth of every human being.

[22:06] And whereas human rights are universal, transcending national and local boundaries and relying

[22:12] on governments at every level to ensure that these rights are upheld in law, policy, and

[22:17] practice.

[22:18] And whereas Fulton County recognizes its role in the protection of human rights and ensures

[22:22] that the principles of dignity, equity, and justice are reflected in its public policies,

[22:27] service delivery, and community engagement.

[22:29] And whereas Fulton County advances human rights through its laws and policies such as the

[22:36] policy, the program access and ADA self-evaluation plan, and the county's language access plan,

[22:42] as well as through the work of the Fulton County Office of Diversity and Civil Rights

[22:46] Compliance.

[22:47] And whereas December 10th, each year, it celebrated around the world as Human Rights Day,

[22:52] now therefore be resolved that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners reaffirms its long-standing

[22:57] steadfast commitment to human rights and does hereby proclaim December 10th, 2025 as Human

[23:02] Rights Day in Fulton County, Georgia.

[23:04] Good

[23:12] morning, I want to first thank Commissioner Barrett and the Board of Commissioners here for the work that you're doing to support our office and to support this proclamation.

[23:26] Human Rights Day is a reminder to each of us to focus on our common realities and not our differences.

[23:35] What I enjoy about it is that it reminds us to adapt and to incorporate everyone's diverse qualities into how we appreciate one another.

[23:51] And so I stand with you with my team, my staff, who work so very hard to ensure protection against discrimination within Fulton County and the work that we do.

[24:03] But it's a reminder also that individuals in the public are also responsible for ensuring that we, as people, recognize how valuable we are, how valuable it is to appreciate the differences that we have.

[24:23] So I look here and I say to you, thank you for doing your job and remember to always appreciate all around us and show respect and ensure dignity of each other.

[25:49] All right, Madam Clerk, continue please.

[25:52] Continuing on page 6, public hearings.

[25:55] 25, 09, 2, 0, public comment. Citizens wishing to participate in public comment will be allowed to appear in person.

[26:02] Or may choose to participate virtually via Zoom, video conferencing by registering on the county website.

[26:09] W-W-W-W, that Fulton County GA.gov, priority for public comment will be given to Fulton County

[26:16] citizens and those individuals representing businesses or organizations located within

[26:21] Fulton County.

[26:22] Speakers will be granted up to two minutes each to public will not be allowed to yield or

[26:26] donate time to other speakers.

[26:28] The public comment of the portion of the meeting will not exceed 60 minutes.

[26:33] In the event, the 60 minute time limit is reached, prior to public comments being completed,

[26:37] Public comment will be suspended in the business portion of the meeting will commence.

[26:44] Public comment will resume at the end of the meeting.

[26:46] Mr Chairman, remember so the board we have received 14 speaker cards here in Assembly Hall.

[26:52] Well, the first five speakers please come forward, L.A. Pink, Shreletta Hurst, Eugene Walls,

[27:02] RC, Montenirone, Desiree Thomas.

[27:07] Our speakers, we have 15 seconds remaining of your two minutes, I'll say 15 seconds which will be your clue to begin to conclude your remarks.

[27:16] First speaker.

[27:39] Good morning.

[27:41] While I was in the Fulton County jail, I was attacked by two 17-year-olds who were housed in the facility where I was at.

[27:55] was in the mental health and medical health department. I feel like those 17-year-olds should have

[28:08] not been in that department. I am a 52-year-old woman and I was attacked by 2, 17-year-olds being

[28:16] house at Rice Street. I have received eye injury when I was able to get out to go to my

[28:27] doctor. She's referred me to a specialist because I can't see out of the peripheral

[28:33] my peripheral vision. The officer Williams who was there to I guess try to, you know, break

[28:43] up the fight. He was just pretending like it was something they do every day. It was not professional

[28:52] at all. And like I said, I'm injured because of that. And then when I went to file a warrant

[28:59] against these children, they told me if I did not have, I had their names. They told me if I

[29:07] not have their addresses and their addresses and their date of births. I could not file a warrant

[29:15] against these individuals. These are children. I wasn't in jail for a major crime, but I just

[29:24] feel like those officers, they're not doing their job. 15 seconds, man. Thank you.

[29:41] So we give human rights

[29:42] Procumations, but we're not abiding by the rights of humans.

[29:48] How is that?

[29:50] Eighth Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Fourth Amendment,

[29:54] have been violated for our inmates.

[29:58] And nothing has been done.

[30:00] On tits, Dana, Ike, Aaronton, y'all run in for cheermen. I challenge y'all today. Today is a call-a-action since

[30:10] beer wants to put out stuff on other commissioners. Why don't you put out an investigation or ask for call of action to the sheriff?

[30:24] I know you all know, I mean, what's the name?

[30:30] The other sheriff that was taken down.

[30:35] Jackie Barrett.

[30:37] That's her name. Y'all know her, right?

[30:40] Everybody watch Jackie Barrett be removed.

[30:43] So why haven't the sheriff been removed?

[30:45] She got, he has way more on him than she could ever even imagine.

[30:49] Why haven't you all called for his removal?

[30:53] That's the question that I'm trying to better understand.

[30:58] Pits, you most definitely need to call for it.

[31:01] You're in charge right now.

[31:03] You call for bears.

[31:04] I need his to be called for.

[31:06] You want to continue to play games.

[31:09] You know, with these lives of inmates,

[31:13] we're challenging you today.

[31:14] You three, most definitely,

[31:20] So, you guys can look up the act of section 15-16-26.

[31:29] 15 seconds.

[31:31] Absolutely, that is a law that you have to abide by,

[31:36] since you want to give out proclamations for human rights.

[31:39] Let's get some rights taking care of,

[31:41] because you are violating every right of inmates.

[31:52] My name is Eugene Wolves, I'm a housing manager with Pag, and I wanted to express to you

[31:58] all how vital this program has become to our process in serving those on housing

[32:05] the community.

[32:07] We utilize emergency housing and short-term shelter, temporary shelter.

[32:13] It has become a triage, right, for our participants, we're able to immediately access our participants, right, in a safe environment, and identify barriers, right, and work intensively to connect them with the resources in the community.

[32:37] from mental health, medical, substance use, and in some cases re-unification, right?

[32:47] We've assisted countless families to go home with their loved ones leaving Atlanta to other

[32:54] cities.

[32:55] Most recently, we had a diversion of a 74-year-old Air Force veteran in the early stages

[33:04] of dementia.

[33:05] Okay? We were able to place them in emergency housing. Okay? When we got them in housing, it was

[33:14] observed that he had an open wound on his leg, uncontrolled diabetes. We were able to

[33:20] connect this man with a veteran hospital and services. And today he has been successfully

[33:29] placed in a personal care home. You know even though he doesn't face the usual

[33:34] challenges that most of our participants face with 74 years old.

[33:39] 52 seconds ago and serving his country, you know this is a vital piece to the

[33:45] process that we use in our community and we would love for you all to vote to keep it.

[33:52] Thank you.

[33:59] Good morning. My name is Eric and I'm the Leo Navigation Manager of Appad and in this

[34:03] through our post-booking process, I mean individuals who find themselves in custody, not because

[34:08] they are a threat to our community, but because they lack access to disability, resources, and

[34:12] support. Many of the individuals who have heard our unhoused, I'm living with untreated mental

[34:17] health and substance use challenges, and almost all of them have underlying needs that incarceration

[34:21] cannot meet. Our post-booking process was created to identify individuals who qualify for

[34:27] peer-vast diversion and offer an opportunity for diversion after a rest. Some of the individuals

[34:32] we've encountered were arrested for shoplifting food because they were hungry, answering vacant

[34:36] buildings because they were cold and wanted a warm place to sleep, or simply sleeping outside.

[34:41] Some were arrested for miscored dates, not out of disregard for the system, but because they

[34:46] are in house and never received the court notice. I've also had the privilege of witnessing

[34:50] what can happen when those same individuals receive support instead of punishment. We've had people

[34:54] released us directly from the jail with nothing but the clothes on the backs and nowhere to go.

[34:59] 3, 2, 3.

[35:00] That support they were provided with their basic needs and placed in emergency shelters so that they did not

[35:04] have to sleep outside. We've also connected people directly from the jail-to-treatment programs. Sometimes

[35:09] the first opportunity they've had to address the issues that brought them in custody in the first

[35:13] place. Because they were offered an opportunity for case management through pad, we recently

[35:18] supported a young sex trafficking victim who is now safely reunited with her family out of state.

[35:23] Many who once had no housing options are living in a stable place of their own. We also have participants

[35:29] were celebrating months and even years of sobriety, and others who are now employed and finding

[35:33] a meaningful way to give back to the community.

[35:36] This stories are all different and unique, but one thing that they've all shared with me is

[35:39] Pat was there when no one else was, and they wouldn't be where they are now for one for

[35:42] pad.

[35:43] That is because incarceration did not meet the underlying needs.

[35:46] Pat's second.

[35:47] Thank you.

[35:58] Good morning.

[35:59] My name is Desiree Thomas.

[36:00] I'm the local campaign manager at the Amplified Georgia Collaborative.

[36:03] I'm here today to speak in support of three pieces of legislation.

[36:06] 25, 09, 35, 25, 09, 36, and 25, 09, 37.

[36:10] These pieces of legislation, if passed, would affirm Fulton's county support of women, reproductive

[36:15] rights, and maternal health.

[36:16] For those of you who don't know, I have a master's degree in public health.

[36:19] For Fulton's own GSU, and I'm proud to say that my education informs my work in advocacy.

[36:25] So when I come to speak to you, I'll please know that I'm not only doing so as a citizen, and

[36:29] as an advocate for my organization, but also as a public health professional, who takes

[36:33] that role very seriously.

[36:34] With that said, I want to talk specifically about why allocating a million dollars in funds

[36:38] to the Healthy Women Healthy Families Initiative is so important.

[36:41] I live in South Fulton, and as all of you know, the southern part of the county lacks

[36:44] the same healthcare infrastructure and resources as the rest of the county.

[36:48] The people that live in that part of the county are overwhelmingly glad.

[36:51] When we think about social determinants of health, we know that people's zip code is an important

[36:55] indicator as to what their health outcomes can be.

[36:58] And by funding the Healthy Women Healthy Families Initiative, you will empower organizations

[37:02] that are addressing things like maternal health, women's cancers, mental health, senior

[37:07] women's health, gender-based violence prevention, chronic disease, management, and reproductive

[37:12] health to continue to do that work.

[37:15] I know that there are those on the Commission who want to paint this initiative and the formation

[37:18] of a women's commission in a negative light based on their own anti-abortion stances.

[37:23] However, that view is out of line with what the vast majority of Fulton residents believe.

[37:27] by using your own views to disallow half of the population of the county to have a body that represents their needs as a historically marginalized community.

[37:37] Because you assume and are afraid that they may possibly mention abortion sometimes, you are slapping the women of Fulton County in the face and showing that you don't take our needs seriously.

[37:48] I urge this commission to support all three of these resolutions today and I hope that you will show Fulton residents especially the women that you are willing to stand up for them in a political climate

[37:57] and that is growing increasingly harsh.

[37:59] Thank you.

[38:02] Next five speakers, Joseph Foster, Mohammed Huffies.

[38:08] The Shawna King, Robby Cobain, and Kayla Smith.

[38:26] Good morning, commission.

[38:28] My name is Joseph Foster, and I stand before you

[38:30] as a participant of the program, Pat.

[38:33] I was like many in the community

[38:36] who were facing significant struggles

[38:37] we've been involved with this visceral cycle of city ordinance violations until three years

[38:47] ago where I was asked where I'd be interested in being a part of this organization called

[38:54] Paul Fee, Attorney Division, Pat.

[38:58] I struggle with homelessness, mental health,

[39:02] I call it as an act to be in.

[39:06] I act to be in laws, I accept.

[39:10] So instead of looking at this planet as a punishment,

[39:15] I was signed as a cognitive and with Miss Eris,

[39:21] who was very compassionate and helpful.

[39:24] And I was assigned and also I was compassionate as well.

[39:32] Now we can connect with great housing because I was homeless, mental health, and healthcare.

[39:40] So as I explained my root cause of my issues, the life change in assistance.

[39:47] So today I am now in a healthy place to live.

[39:52] Two and a half years ago, there's still help to come up with funding for my medical.

[40:00] Mental Health, along with the program, that I also completed two years ago, pad has been in a valuable resource

[40:08] that saved my life. It has taken place from being a long term. Fifteen seconds, sir.

[40:15] State for the positive member of the Senate, being a productive member of the Senate, excuse me.

[40:23] a long-term investment of my future in public safety, lastly, if can be urged to continue with the pad.

[40:40] Thank you.

[40:47] Good morning, commissioners.

[40:49] Good to see you guys today.

[40:50] My name is Muhammad Hafiz and I stand before you as the Director of Community Engagement with Pad.

[40:55] In my role, I get a chance to meet with a lot of community members.

[40:59] I speak with a lot of residents.

[41:00] I get to speak with a lot of small business owners.

[41:02] even walk around the streets of Atlanta and see people who are struggling.

[41:06] And one thing that is clear, as I meet with people, is that they don't say they just

[41:10] want Pat, but they need what Pat provides.

[41:13] They want an alternative instead of punishing people who are suffering for being poor or

[41:20] in crisis.

[41:21] They want something that actually helps.

[41:23] And just the other day, I was in my neighborhood, I lived in English Avenue, and a man came

[41:28] to me who saw my pad sweater and he looked at me and asked me,

[41:32] are you still with Pat and I said, yes, and I said,

[41:34] he said, Matt, Pat was there for me when I needed help the most.

[41:39] I want to get reconnected with Pat and I hear stories like this all the time

[41:42] where people feel seen, they feel respected, they feel supported,

[41:47] they feel the need to come to me and say, man, thank you for what Pat has done for me

[41:53] and what is doing for the community and here's why your support matters.

[41:56] when someone is released to us, we're nowhere to go, housing matters, when someone is dealing

[42:02] with mental health issues, consistent support matters, when someone is trying to get stabilizing,

[42:08] take the next step forward, having a trusted care navigator matters. Funding allows us to keep

[42:15] people off the streets out of jail and connect to the real solutions, like emergency housing,

[42:20] transportation, food, treatment, support, and help getting documentation so they can have

[42:25] and housing. That's what changes lives. Pad is in a luxury for Fort McCowning. It is a necessity,

[42:32] 15 seconds, and the community knows that. And I want you guys to just consider, as you guys,

[42:39] vote today, to support Pad, to support the needs that Pad has in the community has. Thank you.

[42:55] Good morning. My name is Deshaner King. I'm the communications manager. I will know the rise to your job.

[42:59] I'm here because our community deserves better than half measured just up as progress.

[43:04] There seems to be this idea that now that we have the Divergent Center in PAD,

[43:08] that the city has somehow solved the problem.

[43:11] As a real solution, just sprout up in the moment after a building or a program launches.

[43:17] But anyone who has lived through realities of incarceration, housing insecurity, or crisis,

[43:22] knows that that isn't true.

[43:23] Creating these programs is only the first step.

[43:26] The world work, the work that determines whether people actually get free,

[43:29] get stable, get hold, happens in the implementation.

[43:33] And that's exactly where the city continues to fall short.

[43:36] Two often, these decisions are made for optics.

[43:38] They're made to check a box or to fluff up press release,

[43:41] not to actually transform lives.

[43:43] Programs like PIE and the divergence center

[43:45] cannot thrive without a space to stretch, grow,

[43:47] and fully assert people.

[43:49] And that means investing in rural housing,

[43:51] not displacement disguised as development,

[43:54] not encampments, sleeps, to stay in the size of the city for the World Cup.

[43:57] We're sending people to the diversions center and then what, where do they go, what support is waiting for them when they walk out the door.

[44:04] I watch people come home from incarceration trying to survive housing insecurity, only to find our shelters,

[44:10] overrun, our systems completely unprepared, relating on a tiny handful of overwork solutions to try to undo harm,

[44:16] that's decades old, harm rooted in Jim Crow rooted in child slavery, harm that has shaped the various institutions that we're talking about today.

[44:23] And the truth is, communities that have been disproportionately harmed must be disproportionately

[44:28] helped.

[44:29] We cannot keep pouring money into so-called mental health facilities are expansion of a

[44:33] deadly jail and then pretend that we're investing in care.

[44:36] We know what works because we have the experience.

[44:39] Pad works, that versus dinner can work.

[44:42] 15 seconds.

[44:43] Only if we fund these programs like we actually believe in them, if we want to save for city,

[44:46] a healthier city, a city that actually honors the humanity of us people, then we have to

[44:53] Anything less is an nervous solution and we deserve so much more. Thanks.

[45:08] My name is Kayla Smith and I'm the campaign and community organizer for women on the rise. I'm here today to speak and strong support of the continued use and increased funding of policing alternatives and diversion initiative better known as pad.

[45:20] There's been confusion about the difference between pad and the diversion center, which is strange to me because pad has been established and known in the community for years.

[45:28] Yes, the diversion center is useful but is grossly underutilized by Fulton County officers and pad offers different benefits and services such as emergency shelter and connection along term care.

[45:37] This is only made possible through continued and strong funding.

[45:40] We've seen padwork over the years and people's lives turn around due to being diverted.

[45:45] There's no reason to cut down the amount of alternate options for both officers and people

[45:48] facing quality of life charges. More than anything pad needs increased funding to continue

[45:53] providing direct services and reliefs our community. Pad has been around for years and is one of

[45:58] the most effective tools our county has to address concerns related to unmet mental health needs,

[46:03] substance use, poverty and survival behaviors. You guys may not know that

[46:07] And that's due to the seats that you're sitting in right now.

[46:10] The people who are out here on the ground,

[46:11] we see how people's lives have been changed

[46:13] and continue to be changed by programs such as Pat.

[46:16] Instead of cycling people through our overpopulated

[46:18] and mismanaged criminal legal system for issues

[46:21] that are rooted in lack of care.

[46:23] Pat connects people with care, not handcuffs.

[46:26] They reduce the burden on our officers

[46:27] and our overpopulated jail and provide services

[46:29] that actually reduce harm in increased community safety.

[46:32] The results speak for themselves.

[46:34] Pat decreases unnecessary arrest

[46:36] and strengthens trust between residents and public systems.

[46:39] It's a community center of strategy

[46:40] and it treats people dignity while also saving taxpayer dollars

[46:44] in the long term.

[46:45] That's a full-time counting taxpayer

[46:46] and just simply a human being with the heart and the conscious.

[46:50] Pat's presence in Atlanta and full-time counting matters to me.

[46:53] And for some people, it's a difference

[46:54] between a life of struggle, pain, and incarceration.

[46:57] Versus a fresh start with support and resources.

[47:01] I strongly urge this board not only to maintain,

[47:03] but increase supporting and continue.

[47:07] to go on. Thank you.

[47:17] Good morning. I am Ms. Hillel of Fulton County Resident and Advocate.

[47:22] I will continue to advocate and respectfully demand immediate action to end the ongoing

[47:28] deed fraud crisis. The facts are clear and well-documented and court and land records. First,

[47:37] I'll mention that the clerk of courts, Shay Alexander and the Commissioner Moe Ivory have both

[47:43] acknowledge Fultin County has no process or procedures internally for filing deeds, an administrative

[47:52] and a mission that reflects incompetence, oath violations, and a serious failure of duty.

[48:01] Secondly, deep productivity and related offenses may be part of a publicly funded system.

[48:06] residents who face these crimes, also face stalking, intimidation, retaliation, threats, and

[48:14] our drag into vixatious litigation simply for trying to protect their homes.

[48:20] Thirdly, seniors, women, veterans, disabled residents, and black and brown legacy communities

[48:27] are being systemically targeted and displaced.

[48:30] Property taxes are inflated using fabricated sales of stolen properties.

[48:37] Deed fraud crimes also fuels housing insecurity, homelessness, wrongful arrests.

[48:45] Inflated jail population and causes irreparable severe emotional and financial harm to vulnerable residents.

[48:53] is important to note also that a third of this current commission, this current board of

[49:00] commission, a third of you, are either personally involved or have personal experience

[49:06] and direct knowledge of this deep productivity. For these reasons and for and on behalf

[49:14] of public interest, I respectfully demand immediate actions to recent stolen these return

[49:20] properties referred to.

[49:25] Okay, thank you, ma'am.

[49:43] Good morning.

[49:43] My name is Robbie Cabana.

[49:44] I'm a Philcing County resident taxpayer and a Georgia real estate broker.

[49:48] First, I want to express my strong support from his

[49:50] Hill who just spoke and worked.

[49:52] Work, exposing deed fraud and predatory housing practices.

[49:55] It's a broker.

[49:56] I personally emailed and spoken with Atlanta City officials.

[49:59] The mayor is off.

[50:00] Members of this Board, in totality for the need of oversight and regulation, the combination of

[50:06] predatory investors, and a broken compromise politically influenced and puses some is harming residents to

[50:12] stabilize communities. Pense the need for pad, please fund them, and costing taxpayers. This board must

[50:19] address it. I also support ongoing calls for jail reform, street groomers and L.A.

[50:24] conditions under Sheriff Patrick LeBot remain inadequate unsafe and unacceptable, no resident,

[50:29] no resident, no sentient being, regardless of circumstance should be subjected to abuse or

[50:34] inhumane conditions that brings me to the animal control system, operated under the Sheriff

[50:39] Patrick LeBot who deputizes officers within the county's contracts. There's been a pattern of

[50:45] mismanagement, especially under lifeline, the county contractor. After serious attacks and deaths

[50:52] even deaths brought to this board.

[50:54] The county has only produced the 40-page incident report,

[50:57] and yet there's still been no independent audit of lifeline,

[51:00] an audit that Commissioner Thorn discussed

[51:02] and never followed through on, despite years of whistleblowers,

[51:06] photos, video evidence and testimony from employees, staff,

[51:10] and volunteers about being banned and the abuse.

[51:13] And you still are paying lifeline and allowing them

[51:16] to run our county shelter with no audit.

[51:18] Lifeline still controls the shelters,

[51:20] still influences enforcement, and the county recently hired a lifeline employee.

[51:25] There's too much to go through in two minutes, but I did email county manager.

[51:29] Dick Anderson, that's right here at 1023 AM today.

[51:34] You have a copy of an email from a commissioner who solicited his private firm

[51:38] to someone who was reaching out about animal control.

[51:41] Please confirm receipt of it.

[51:42] I will follow up with all of you to see what you're going to do about all this.

[51:49] Last four speakers and assembly hall, please come forward, Janet Hill, Miranda Estes,

[51:56] Nikki Buggs, and Josh Milton.

[52:26] Good morning, Commissioner.

[52:27] Good morning, Commissioner is my name, is Miranda Estes, and I live in District 3, Midtown,

[52:33] represented proudly and loudly by Commissioner Dana Barrett.

[52:37] And also I serve as a policy manager for Secus, except for social change.

[52:43] We're a national organization that focus on advancing a sexual and reproductive health care and rights through education and policy.

[52:52] I'm here today both as a constituent and as an advocate for the health dignity and well-being of women in Fulton County.

[52:59] I wanted to voice my strong support for the Commissioner Barrett's 30 pieces of proposed legislation,

[53:10] from my work in policy, I see how deeply and adversely health outcomes are affected by lack of access to information, services, and supportive environments.

[53:22] I also see this in my community. I'm the girl in my building where my neighbors know that they can come to me for plan B condoms,

[53:30] Dental dams and advice, but that's one building here in Fulton County and in the more

[53:37] affluent part of the city and that's not enough. People here are struggling to access

[53:44] even basic reproductive and sexual health care items and it shows Georgia is consistently

[53:49] ranked among the worst states for maternal mortality and has some of the most restrictive

[53:55] health policies in the country. And that has gained us national bad press. We are still

[54:01] really mourning from the deaths of Amber Thurman, Candy Miller, and Adriana Smith.

[54:07] In this community, the reality of harms that come from this state's restrictive policies are

[54:13] not abstract here in Fulton County, and we must do better. Based on the passage of commissioner

[54:19] our ovaries, a dedication to black maternal health, it's now a time that I urge this commission

[54:26] to do that.

[54:27] Fun, very yes.

[54:38] Good morning.

[54:40] My name is Nikki Boggs.

[54:42] I am a homeowner at the Lamar condominium.

[54:46] Our building is being taken over by predatory property investors.

[54:51] Predatory property investors.

[54:53] We have seniors in the building and what's happening is that they're taking over the building

[54:57] and the building is operating as a hotel. A motel.

[55:01] We have seen you in the building, we have people that are disabled in the building, and we have long-term home on this that deserve to keep their homes.

[55:08] We have no freedom of right. They treat us less than human. Our assessments are up to $1300 a month for a double-building of water, gas, electricity.

[55:21] Our common areas have been taken away. We have no security. We have no concierge.

[55:26] We have no one to contact if we are in trouble.

[55:29] We call the police.

[55:30] They'll ask if this criminal they'll show up.

[55:32] If they can't get in the building, they go away.

[55:34] Understood.

[55:39] The city and the state are profiting off of our suffering.

[55:42] We've been at this for four years, five months to the date.

[55:47] We do not deserve this.

[55:49] We are homeowners.

[55:50] We are taxpayers.

[55:52] If I've done a quarter of what these people have done to us,

[55:56] my outcome would be quite different.

[55:58] I would be in jail most likely.

[56:00] We deserve to come home.

[56:03] Our peace has been robbed.

[56:06] And it's just something that we've been fighting about for the last four years.

[56:10] So the human rights that we spoke of in the proclamation,

[56:13] within congratulations to the person, we don't have any.

[56:18] We're treated less than human.

[56:20] We've been to every government to agency.

[56:22] We've sent emails.

[56:24] We've asked for help.

[56:25] Fifteen seconds.

[56:26] Thank you.

[56:26] We have a lens and four closures.

[56:28] placed on people on justifiably. Exorbitant buys huge capital assessments.

[56:36] We've asked for help.

[56:38] Please do the right thing and help. Look at the entire picture. Thank you.

[56:52] Ms. Chairman, members of the board, we have nice speakers on Zoom.

[56:56] Good morning commissioners. The first person to speak is Tara Oversett.

[57:06] Hello, I just want to be sure I was good to speak in because I can't see a timer.

[57:11] We can hear you.

[57:13] Okay, wonderful.

[57:14] Good morning, commissioners.

[57:16] And thank you for allowing me to speak today.

[57:17] I'm Dr. Terror over that.

[57:19] And I'm a trauma therapist, educator, and community advocate in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

[57:24] I'm here to talk about women's health.

[57:26] It's a vital part of our communities well being.

[57:28] And this includes a wide spectrum of needs, physical health, mental health, and reproductive health.

[57:34] With recent cuts and research, women's health care and an increasing lack of accessibility and affordability

[57:39] ability of women's health services, the establishment of proposed grant programs like Agenda

[57:44] Item 25-0937 Healthy Women Healthy Futures. I healthy families fulfills a critical need.

[57:52] With over 1 million residents living in Fulton County, we have caused less than 90 cents per

[57:57] resident to establish these grants as support non-profits that promote women's health and well-being.

[58:03] I am one of the many women in Fulton County who have recently experienced a remarkable spike in

[58:08] care costs. And I know that there is a need for nonprofits who can provide preventative

[58:13] screenings and examinations for women in our community. In addition, agenda item 25-0936,

[58:20] which would establish a Fulton County Women's Commission, would highlight much needed voices

[58:26] the combat discrimination in the workplace, fix women's pay inequity, and address the affordability

[58:31] crisis for child care. Having a group focus on these concerns would help legislators and decision

[58:37] makeers to enact policies and programs that help women to thrive and succeed.

[58:41] Ultimately, the health and wellbeing of women is deeply connected to the health of the entire community.

[58:47] When there are structures in place to thoughtfully examine local needs,

[58:50] scavener reliable information, and elevate the lived experiences of women.

[58:54] 15 seconds.

[58:54] Community or better equipped to make informed decisions that support long-term wellbeing

[58:58] for all our residents.

[59:00] Thank you for your time today.

[59:03] The next person to speak is Michelle Wilson.

[59:12] Good morning everyone.

[59:13] My name is Michelle Wilson.

[59:15] I am the Chief Operations Officer with women engaged a human rights advocacy

[59:19] nonprofit that's been doing work in Fulton County for over 11 years.

[59:24] And through that work, we do voter activation and community engagement

[59:27] and leadership development and that has called for us to survey

[59:30] residents in Fulton County for the last 11 years.

[59:33] asking them about the increased access to health care here in Georgia, and unfortunately over

[59:38] the last 11 years where we have seen across the state that's a continued restriction to access

[59:43] to services, and which has resulted now in medical deserts that are definitely impacting those

[59:48] who are here in Fulton County. Prior to all of these things that were going on, Fulton County is

[59:53] around the area of service a hub for the rest of the state, in order to actualize and use the

[59:58] is that we need it to improve the quality.

[1:00:00] We need to analyze and seek those services. That's why today I'm asking the Board to consider the proposed legislation for the creation of the Women's Health Grant Program, the Women's Commission, and making a bold statement stand in solidarity for reproductive rights, as human rights, and calling for the protection for those services for those in our community members. When we service those in the community, originally the 75% of people will report fact that we need to increase access. When we've seen over the last three to four years now, it's a death has to increase almost nearly 90% of respondents.

[1:00:30] And that particularly impacts those who are working class, black and brown people, young people,

[1:00:35] queer and trans folks, and everyone of the Southwest area. So we're definitely urgent for those

[1:00:41] considerations to be made, but we continue to protect those rights and increase access to the

[1:00:47] vital health care that people need, especially as we continue to traverse unprecedented times here in

[1:00:51] this day, along in this country. And so I thank you all so much for your time. As you continue to

[1:00:57] Listen to the residents here in 15 seconds, man.

[1:01:01] If their voices are important, and now we're understanding that regardless of our own personal

[1:01:06] of priorities or ideas, that people deserve a right to make decisions with their bodies,

[1:01:11] how they see fit and get the candidates deserve.

[1:01:13] Thank you.

[1:01:16] The next person to speak is Kevin Moldowni.

[1:01:24] Kevin Moldi.

[1:01:25] Good morning, commissioners, and thank you, Riko.

[1:01:27] Commissioner Barrett, I take exception with your women's commission. It sounds like D.E.I. to me and your proposed resolutions.

[1:01:39] You're talking about reproductive rights for women. Reproductive rights are just that.

[1:01:44] Rights to reproduce, not killed children. Black and brown women have the majority of abortions.

[1:01:51] it does in this country. Does it sound like there's any shortage of there what you call reproductive health?

[1:01:59] And then grant funding to an NGO for women's health. Why do we have a county health department?

[1:02:04] Sounds a little redundant to me. Funding NGOs continually invites waste, fraud, and abuse. Please

[1:02:13] do not vote for these resolutions. Thank you very much.

[1:02:19] The next person to speak is

[1:02:23] Rola Abhi Samrah.

[1:02:28] Hello, can you hear me okay? Yes. Okay, thank you. My name is Rula Abhi Samrah.

[1:02:35] I am a constituent in District 3. I'm also a part of a community club in District 6.

[1:02:42] I work with people and actually, you know, all over Fulton County, I am so happy to say that I appreciate the representation of all of the commissioners in the people that I work with and live with in our lives.

[1:02:58] And so as as your constituent and loved one of your constituents and as a health professional, I'm asking you to support the following resolutions.

[1:03:06] for the four-going resolutions for the Healthy Women Healthy Families Grant Program for the Women's Commission to exist in Fulton County and to oppose the criminalization of abortion care and a firm reproductive rights.

[1:03:20] These are relatively simple and straightforward yet would make a difference in our lives.

[1:03:27] My district stands to benefit from them, and DeCab County has passed similar legislation, and I have seen data.

[1:03:35] Health data for both counties, economic data for both counties, suggesting that together these can reduce disparities in health access and mitigate harm to the most vulnerable.

[1:03:45] If these are passed and implemented.

[1:03:48] And truly, it's for me as a health professional, it's about health and there are also so many other reasons that bodies like a women's commission can represent.

[1:03:56] can pay attention to the representation of people across our county, as well as our civic participation

[1:04:04] or economic opportunities.

[1:04:07] From a health perspective, I just want to say these programs, especially this grant program,

[1:04:13] I'm heartened because people having true access to affordable quality care in the full spectrum of our needs,

[1:04:19] of reproductive health needs is so essential to a community having healthy families and individuals.

[1:04:25] And I will say that decades of health and protection for our only a privileged view

[1:04:31] have really hurt all of us, even though the damage hits hardest on women of color

[1:04:35] and those working to make ends meet.

[1:04:37] And some people might never walk in those shoes, but their community does get affected too.

[1:04:42] And Fulton should be governed with the conviction for a more equitable future for all people in our health.

[1:04:47] So please do pass these through.

[1:04:54] The next person to speak is Alicia Stahlworth.

[1:05:01] Alisha Stahlworth,

[1:05:05] next person to speak,

[1:05:08] excuse me. Next person to speak is

[1:05:13] Kurt Beesley,

[1:05:17] Kurt Beesley. Good morning, commissioners, and chairman pits. My name is

[1:05:24] Kurt Beesley. I am calling in support of the creation of the $1 million women's health grant program that

[1:05:32] will support women as a whole.

[1:05:36] I strongly support women should have the right

[1:05:39] to do with their bodies as they choose.

[1:05:42] Meaning reproductive rights are human rights.

[1:05:45] Therefore, I am asking for the repeal

[1:05:48] and the renouncing of the states, six weeks abortion ban,

[1:05:53] additionally, all people have rights

[1:05:56] in course incarcerated or not.

[1:05:58] I support the continuation of the Pant Program.

[1:06:03] Thank you.

[1:06:06] The next person to speak is SEMA, Rotty.

[1:06:16] SEMA, Rotty.

[1:06:22] Next person to speak is Serena Darsaro.

[1:06:29] Excuse me.

[1:06:31] Serena Darsaro.

[1:06:36] Next person to speak is Shelly Steel.

[1:06:41] Shelly Steel.

[1:06:45] The next person to speak is Tina Hassan, Tina Hassan,

[1:06:58] next person to speak is Alicia Stahlworth,

[1:07:04] Alicia Stahlworth,

[1:07:09] and this concludes our Zoom public comments.

[1:07:13] Thank you.

[1:07:14] Continue metaphor.

[1:07:16] Continuing on the public hearings on page 6,

[1:07:21] 250921 finance, public hearing for the fiscal year

[1:07:26] 2026 proposed operating budget.

[1:07:30] How many speakers?

[1:07:32] We have received five speaker cards.

[1:07:35] L.A. Pink, Charlotte Hearst, Robbie Cobain, Janet Hill, and Miranda Estes.

[1:08:26] My name is Charlotte Hearst, and I was a resident at the Rice Street jail on Tuesday, September 23rd,

[1:08:39] when the led better and

[1:08:43] shenaya white situation occurred.

[1:08:48] I wanted to say that I feel that that

[1:08:52] incident could have been avoided

[1:08:55] because of negligence.

[1:08:57] They should have put not have put those two women

[1:09:00] in that room together.

[1:09:04] Sheriff's, I mean, not sheriff's,

[1:09:06] Officer Strosier that morning did a sat down. She sat down every other room

[1:09:14] but the room that led better and Shaniah White were in. After they removed

[1:09:21] Shaniah White out of that room, no one checked to see if led better was in that

[1:09:27] led better did not get found in that room until 530, a five o'clock. She had been in that room for over, she had been in that room for like 10 o'clock when they did the shake down.

[1:09:46] I'm sorry to her parents that they had to go through that. Also, the health care system in the jail is terrible.

[1:09:56] Um, we have, they have, uh, in,

[1:10:00] In the case, in their who have sleep acne, their sleep nap acne,

[1:10:08] the vice has not worked since August. And here we are in almost November.

[1:10:15] 15 seconds. Another thing is they're not taking the injured people to their therapy sessions.

[1:10:25] Like we have there several people in wheelchairs there. They are not receiving therapy and I just feel that it's it's really sad that these people have

[1:10:45] Thank you, ma'am.

[1:10:54] This is a public hearing on the proposed

[1:10:56] 26 operating budget

[1:10:59] Absolutely, but this is part of the budget. This is the reason why the budget is all screwed up screwed on

[1:11:05] So we we can talk about these type of things because this is the reason why

[1:11:10] are discussing a budget, because we have situations that's taking place in people's lives

[1:11:17] that isn't messing up.

[1:11:18] I mean, Dana, from my understanding, you're funding abortions out of town.

[1:11:24] And you won't even help the folks, the students, here in Fulton County, but you want

[1:11:30] and to help other people from not even in this county, not even in this state.

[1:11:36] with abortions. Y'all up here talking about in that's a

[1:11:40] ledge, okay, since you're making fine faces and if it is the truth,

[1:11:43] it's a shame. Regardless of the situation, y'all, you guys are talking

[1:11:47] about human rights, but y'all are on the take-a-life, like making makes

[1:11:52] sense. At the end of the day, regardless, you're right, whatever somebody

[1:11:56] want to do with a body, but for somebody to have to put it on a budget, for

[1:12:00] somebody to have to put it on, anything that has to do with voting,

[1:12:04] That's a problem, because everybody ain't with it.

[1:12:09] Just like everybody ain't against it, but it shouldn't even be on the roster.

[1:12:14] Y'all need to start taking your time and using it towards the things that matter.

[1:12:19] Y'all got to end mates up over here dying, and you ain't put no money over there?

[1:12:24] You ain't put no investigation up over there?

[1:12:27] Some of these people won't even make it back to their families, but I haven't turkeyed

[1:12:31] away. He's Thanksgiving Christmas. And these families are suffering.

[1:12:35] And you just got to imitate the came down here.

[1:12:38] Had to hear and witness lab better being slaughtered.

[1:12:42] And nothing has been done about it. This woman is on life support.

[1:12:46] And y'all can argue about a budget. 15 seconds.

[1:12:50] You can argue about a whole who should be transgender than who should be this.

[1:12:56] Go transgender up over there at that jail. Change some of that.

[1:13:10] I wanted to speak again, specific to the issue of budgeting and finance and relationship to the deep crisis.

[1:13:22] It is not true, Moe Ivory,

[1:13:26] that there is no funding available for these crimes. That is not true.

[1:13:34] So you need to stop gaslighting citizens, you need to stop inciting hostility, when we respectfully demand that you do your job.

[1:13:46] The last time I checked, it is free to report a crime that hasn't absolutely nothing to do with funding.

[1:13:59] I will propose that we find a way between the 800 million dollars that the state received to address these crimes, be utilized, and potentially portion of the 14 billion dollar surplus with the state to come up with a program to resolve these deep crime issues.

[1:14:25] Thank you again.

[1:14:26] Hello

[1:14:37] again. Hello again commissioners. I am back up here to speak for the fiscal year

[1:14:44] 2026 proposed operating budget and asked that you all do affirm the resolutions brought

[1:14:50] forth by the spirit and also dedicate the money to the women's health program. This isn't just

[1:14:58] investment services.

[1:15:00] It's an investment, the stability of our families, the resilience of our communities, and the well-being

[1:15:06] of future generations. Local organizations like Amplified Georgia and Feminist Center are

[1:15:12] often the first, and sometimes the only points of access for many people, and that's not good enough.

[1:15:18] And to say that it is to fund one type of service is divisive and not true. These things cover

[1:15:25] a plethora of reproductive and sexual health care services that are necessary to strengthen vital

[1:15:32] public health infrastructure and are desperately needed here in Fulton County. In addition,

[1:15:37] the creation of a women's commission would ensure that the lived experiences of all people

[1:15:41] with uterus is in Fulton County, our knowledge, heard, and centered in policy making. That makes

[1:15:46] for all of our communities to be stronger. Black women, immigrant women, queer people, women

[1:15:51] with disability, young people, everyone, especially those who don't look like me are often left

[1:15:57] to the cold.

[1:15:58] It would give our county's structured, consistent mechanisms to respond holistically to real

[1:16:03] community needs, and I ask that you all will pass these three proposed measures,

[1:16:14] and

[1:16:14] while counties can't change state law, they can lead, and I hope that Fulton County will set

[1:16:19] a bold precedent here today. Thank you.

[1:16:30] I didn't intend on having another two minutes. I would encourage you all to increase the time for people because otherwise we have to keep coming down here when you don't correct the problems regarding this budget.

[1:16:42] There's several things that I want to address.

[1:16:44] But as a taxpayer, I just have to say, and I'll speak off the cuff.

[1:16:48] I'm mortified. I'm mortified that you have failed to address so many things.

[1:16:51] I'm horrified that our government is so sloppy that you run for profit real estate tours through

[1:16:57] south side communities without even warning the public, predatory investment occurs, you have

[1:17:01] multiple people speaking about it, and you all are apparently involved in even some of, you know,

[1:17:07] the leans or foreclosures on these properties when our people are suffering, then when they're put

[1:17:11] out of their homes, evicted, and again, I'm saying this is a real estate broker who's witnessed us directly,

[1:17:16] who have emails about all of this information with our corrupt MPs system, then you criminalize people

[1:17:21] for being homeless, then you send them to the jail,

[1:17:23] and they're abused in the jail by the very sheriff,

[1:17:25] who are supposed to protect them.

[1:17:26] And you have witnesses coming here,

[1:17:28] you have staff coming here, you have employees coming here,

[1:17:30] you have whistleblowers coming here,

[1:17:32] and you don't correct it.

[1:17:33] So this is clearly a pattern.

[1:17:34] It's a pattern with all of you.

[1:17:35] It's a pattern of lack of oversight,

[1:17:37] it's a pattern of corruption, it's a pattern of waste.

[1:17:39] So what are you going to do,

[1:17:40] expect us to just pay more and more?

[1:17:42] And yes, I'm going to bring up the animals again,

[1:17:44] because they don't deserve to suffer either.

[1:17:46] So why is it that a county contractor and NGO

[1:17:49] a lifeline who gives kickbacks to you,

[1:17:51] philanthropic dollars has never been investigated.

[1:17:53] When animals come back from their dead,

[1:17:55] they don't release bites, they allow people to do drugs

[1:17:57] on site, their whistleblowers,

[1:17:58] it's a toxic work environment.

[1:18:01] Literally, this is all over TikTok.

[1:18:02] And none of you will even respond.

[1:18:04] You won't even respond, except to say,

[1:18:06] you can hire my firm, you can hire my private firm

[1:18:08] when people contact you about animal control.

[1:18:11] Is that, oh yeah, I just send the email

[1:18:13] to the county manager, and I'm gonna forward it to you too.

[1:18:16] Can you fix this, please?

[1:18:18] Can you stop making us waste our money?

[1:18:20] 15 seconds.

[1:18:20] I work really hard.

[1:18:22] I do not co-sign this.

[1:18:24] Not with my tax dollars.

[1:18:25] Stop criminalizing the homeless.

[1:18:27] Clean it up.

[1:18:28] Do you win audit?

[1:18:29] What is wrong?

[1:18:30] You said you were going to bring anti-corruption to Fulting County.

[1:18:33] Where's the audit?

[1:18:34] Bridget Thorne?

[1:18:35] Where is the audit?

[1:18:49] Joshua.

[1:18:54] For those of you who doesn't.

[1:18:57] Don't know me.

[1:18:59] Didn't get a chance to hear from me earlier.

[1:19:01] I'm here to speak for the voiceless, for those who cannot speak for themselves, and they're

[1:19:09] the ones that are trafficked from food and county jail, often, to the penal institution,

[1:19:19] on indictments that are not necessarily true indictment.

[1:19:28] If we're going to give money to any of these divisions in any of these departments, we have

[1:19:35] to essentially take a look at what's been done in these departments and not wash our hands

[1:19:42] once the money leaves our hands because as taxpayers we're all responsible for the dollars

[1:19:49] and cents done spent and we have to keep accountability on the money that's going

[1:19:54] Now, otherwise, take the name off.

[1:20:00] These indictments, these criminal bills that said you're speaking for the people's state of Georgia, that makes no sense.

[1:20:11] So,

[1:20:13] not to get into the, how these indictments are not being truly prosecuted.

[1:20:20] And I'll start from the top to the bottom, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and private attorneys are all involved.

[1:20:35] The question is, not really to you guys.

[1:20:38] 15 seconds.

[1:20:38] Question is, what are we going to do to make sure that the jobs that we paid you guys for is being done correctly?

[1:20:48] Thank you.

[1:20:55] Mr. Chairman of the Board, we have six speakers also.

[1:21:01] Hello, commissioners. The first person to speak will be SEMA Ratty.

[1:21:13] Hello, um, under the mayor and respect the councilmen, girls and the guests.

[1:21:24] My name is SEMA Ratty, a beautiful resident in the city of Atlanta.

[1:21:28] This Thanksgiving month from October to December is particularly meaningful for us, Hindus

[1:21:35] around the world, we celebrated Diwali, and this week the Holy Son, Gita, the Bhagavad-gita,

[1:21:42] 5,000th anniversary has been celebrated, which is our tharmic, that is the beautiful duties

[1:21:51] prescribed for us as a person, how to live life in harmony in a societal response

[1:21:58] British, of respect and promote peace, stand up to the oppression in communities.

[1:22:04] Diwali has not, has got the status and recognize in few states as declared as a

[1:22:12] holiday. I am a volunteer of the HSS, Kona, different organizations that promote Hindu values

[1:22:20] and the spirit of that the world is one family.

[1:22:24] Saitlus service is in the heart of our daily lives.

[1:22:28] In this period, during Diwali,

[1:22:30] at national level projects have been called

[1:22:32] for Siva Diwali, where we are particularly made a difference

[1:22:36] in Atlanta serve the North Fulton County

[1:22:42] with 1,800 pounds of food and supplies.

[1:22:46] Last year in 2024, in 38 states, over 170,000 pounds of food and supplies were made, and we still don't have the total count for this year.

[1:23:00] 50 seconds.

[1:23:01] And it has been by 250 organizations of the Hindu, Jain, Buddhists and Sikhs.

[1:23:07] We wish to share this light of hope in all of its all residents of Fulton and believe that

[1:23:13] every individual and regardless of faith, the color of background needs to be uplifted

[1:23:18] and respected.

[1:23:19] We look forward to combined service and support our data.

[1:23:24] The next person to speak is Kevin Moldownie.

[1:23:36] The next person to speak is Kurt Beesley.

[1:23:47] The next person to speak is Shelley Steele.

[1:23:56] This concludes our Zoom public comment.

[1:23:59] Hearing.

[1:24:00] Thank you.

[1:24:00] Continue Manimpler.

[1:24:03] Bottom of pace. Six presentations to the board.

[1:24:07] 250922.

[1:24:08] Marda quarterly update.

[1:24:42] My name is Jonathan Hunt.

[1:24:44] I'm the interim general manager and CEO of your

[1:24:46] Marda transit system.

[1:24:49] Thank you to the Fulton Board members here.

[1:24:53] My Fulton Board members free to heartage.

[1:24:56] Fulton Board members pond as well as Elizabeth

[1:24:58] Bolton Harris listening.

[1:25:00] On line, it was great joining the Greater North Fulton Chamber's strategic leadership visit in Arizona, engaging with a delegation on transit plans, as well as partnerships and paths forward to a better transit system in the future, especially enjoyed spending time with Commissioner Thorne on the trip. Thank you. Now we're going to turn to our agenda.

[1:25:26] Next slide.

[1:25:28] Ridership capital programs are partially funded projects as well as other news is what I plan on covering today next slide.

[1:25:38] First on ridership, looking at a ridership, there was a general reminder that our street car is closed if present,

[1:25:44] due to work that Georgia power is conducting and making utility repairs below ground.

[1:25:49] Prior to the street car closures, we saw improved ridership to pre-pandemic levels.

[1:25:55] And across all modes, we're seeing cyclical increases coming out of the summer months and we expect those to increase and continue.

[1:26:05] We anticipate our ridership on bus and rail to increase by this time next year with the implementation of our better brief system, improve the Marta app, as well as the implementation of our next gen bus network, which I'm going to talk about later in my presentation.

[1:26:21] Next slide, we're going to turn to some of our capital program items.

[1:26:28] First, at airport station, we continue to see progression on the airport station with the installation of the second elevator, which has been completed, as well as near completion of our ride store at airport station.

[1:26:40] Next slide.

[1:26:42] I want to spend a little bit of time talking about our Marta Rapid A line and updated

[1:26:48] milling and paving program and design was approved by the city allowing construction

[1:26:53] to advance with fewer utility conflicts as well as accelerating paving on the southern portion

[1:27:01] of the route.

[1:27:04] We continue to coordinate with G dot on signal timing adjustments in the installation of the

[1:27:12] And all required drainage work in the downtown loop has been completed, which has allowed the pavement along the downtown loop to move forward rapidly toward completion.

[1:27:23] We're pleased to report that the panographs or the overhead chargers for the route have all now been installed, including the charger that you see in the image on the slide in front of you at Carver station, which is the southern terminus of the route closest to the outline.

[1:27:39] Please note that our bus manufacturer new flyer has had a recall on the nationwide recall

[1:27:48] on their bus batteries, which is impacting all of their orders.

[1:27:52] We are currently working with them on a work around so that the impact does not impact

[1:27:57] our project, but that present that is a risk item.

[1:28:01] Further on the rapid next slide, further on the rapid project, we've engaged in robust public

[1:28:08] engagement. Our rapid response for public engagement team has sent out construction updates via

[1:28:14] website, email, social media and the like. We also engaged with constituents and patrons at

[1:28:21] the October 2025 Atlanta streets alive event. We are now shifting to get ready to ride phase and we're

[1:28:29] going to begin preparing our customers for a new payment process. On the bus rapid transit, we have

[1:28:37] a proof of payment process for paying for fair and getting on the system.

[1:28:43] You pay for and validate your ticket before you get on the bus, which allows multi-dore

[1:28:49] bus boardings, which reduces the dwell time at each station, which increases the amount

[1:28:55] of time you have on the reduces the amount of time that you have along the alignment.

[1:29:03] excuse me. The picture on the right of the slide that you're looking at is our rapid response

[1:29:09] team placing construction, flyers, out-alerting drivers of upcoming construction, and relocations.

[1:29:17] Next slide.

[1:29:20] We're now going to turn to our five-point transformation project. As a reminder,

[1:29:25] the five-point transformation project is two projects in one. The first that we're going to

[1:29:30] about is the plasal and street level project or the transformation project. Interior overhead

[1:29:36] protections have been completed and those are in place way finding and signage and interior

[1:29:43] lighting has also been installed. We've also installed exterior lighting of course inside of our

[1:29:49] construction fencing but we've also installed exterior lighting along the construction fence line

[1:29:55] along the entire route around five.

[1:30:00] Point station to better illuminate the area. We are also salvaging as much of the materials as we can with demo, lights,

[1:30:10] benches and other items that we can use at other stations. We relocated our MPD office as well as

[1:30:29] below the plaza level on the platform levels, new reflective ceilings and wall

[1:30:35] tiles are in place much brighter lighting is in place the first and second image you can

[1:30:41] see a lot of the lighting on the floors and walls and as well as the tiles on the ceiling and

[1:30:49] on the third image you can see the new fans that have been installed I believe we all know

[1:30:55] manufacturer of these fans, which are very well received by our customers for removing air circulation.

[1:31:01] We won't no longer need platform level fans next slide.

[1:31:08] I want to turn the commission's attention to the Cleveland Metropolitan ART project.

[1:31:14] Picture on the left is a design of the typical ART bus stop being installed throughout the Cleveland Metropolitan ART project in the entire

[1:31:23] The project will span approximately 20 miles round trip, and within the corridor there will be 40

[1:31:32] signalized intersections with traffic signals that contain traffic signal priority, installed by GDOT,

[1:31:39] which will help improve the headways by reducing them.

[1:31:43] Other benefits of the ART project include two jump line at the eastbound Cleveland,

[1:31:48] have a new and Springdale Road intersection and four new midblock crossings which have

[1:31:55] signalization at them along Cleveland Avenue. There will also be 53 new total shelters

[1:32:02] as pictured above and 38 will be solar powered and there will be 54 bike racks that will

[1:32:09] come in pairs of three as pictured above at select locations. All shelters and kiosks

[1:32:18] along this route will have real-time arrival information provided digitally, and if you're

[1:32:24] wondering why there's fewer solar panels than there are entire bus stop amenities, it's

[1:32:33] because certain locations are more shaded or there's already power available, which is

[1:32:38] why there's a difference between the total shelters and the number of solar panels.

[1:32:42] I am happy to report that B-R-T-U construction, a Georgia-based forest park company, was awarded

[1:32:50] the project by the Marta Board, and we have signed that contract.

[1:32:54] We are targeting a February 26 groundbreaking to get construction underway.

[1:33:00] Next slide.

[1:33:03] The Marta Rapid Camelton Project, we are 30% design on the corridor, and 15% design stage for

[1:33:10] fly over bridge as well as for the transit hub at Green Breyer Mall. We are currently

[1:33:16] have the fly over bridge in the alignment to minimize impacts on the right of way to

[1:33:22] resonances and businesses as well as to further the transit only lane. The fly over bridge

[1:33:29] from Green Breyer Mall to Barge Road will have a parallel pedestrian access along the alignment

[1:33:35] and the final design call and tractor for this has been awarded. We continue to engage

[1:33:40] with the public through bus ride-alongs, neighborhood briefings, and we hosted a community leaders

[1:33:46] roundtable event on over 18th, and we recently sent out postcards to all businesses and residents

[1:33:52] along alignment to advise them of how they can continue to participate and engage as we

[1:33:58] go to move to final design. All of this is good news, but Morgan News is the project officially

[1:34:04] received a medium-high rating for the capital improvement grant funding from the FTA, which means

[1:34:10] it will be eligible for federal funding when we reach final design and we do plan on applying

[1:34:16] for that. Just another sign that this is headed in the right direction. Next slide, we are going

[1:34:25] to turn to some of our partially funded projects. The first being the Georgia 400 plus rapid transit

[1:34:31] project.

[1:34:32] Mark is continuing to advance the Georgia 400 BRT project by working towards 30% design on

[1:34:38] our proposed three line station stops.

[1:34:44] As you'll see on the picture on the right, there's four nodes noted as a stop.

[1:34:49] The old Milton Parkway stop is currently not within the agreement, but we're working to

[1:34:57] if we can work that in, depending on budgetary.

[1:35:01] We've got the $100 million state bond and a $26 million allocation from the state route 400 peach partners grew,

[1:35:10] which is the awardee from G.D. for the $400 redevelopment project in total, to help provide for

[1:35:16] transit station infrastructure. And we're going to continue to identify sources to plug the gap between

[1:35:23] what's been allocated and what is needed to complete all of the transit infrastructure for the project.

[1:35:29] We have worked with March true North CID and updated the cities specifically,

[1:35:34] Alphorehan and Roswell on the project and discuss how the cities and

[1:35:38] Martin can work together to deliver the best possible project and the best possible

[1:35:43] interface between where one might park to where one actually physically gets on the buses.

[1:35:49] We are waiting GDOT to mobilize with state route 400 peach partners prior to full engagement

[1:35:56] because we don't want to get ahead of GDOT on this project.

[1:36:01] Next slide.

[1:36:05] The automated transit network or ATN pilot for short, as a reminder, we're in partnership

[1:36:10] with the Atlanta Airport Community Improvement Districts or the ACIDs to study the deployment

[1:36:18] and pilot deployment of an automated transit network at GICC down by the airport in the South

[1:36:24] Metro region. The study is going to evaluate the potential benefits of an automated transit network

[1:36:31] as well as how a pilot would operate if it were fully implemented in a broader scale.

[1:36:37] The first governance committee meeting was held on October 14th and the next one will be in

[1:36:43] We look forward to full partnership again in participation in these meetings.

[1:36:50] Next slide, the AT&T's Ability Study will be conducted by Marta in conjunction with the pilot.

[1:36:59] The following this, we will progress to examining whether a broader build-out concept for an AT&T

[1:37:07] alignment is possible, but that pilot and that feasibility will probably not be completed

[1:37:15] until late 2026 early 2027, because we need the pilot to actually be constructed and operating

[1:37:21] before we dive deeply into the feasibility portion.

[1:37:26] I'd like to turn to some other news next slide.

[1:37:30] Thank you, and you all have probably heard me say that a better breeze is coming.

[1:37:35] By next spring, our Better Breeze Fair is easy for me to say.

[1:37:41] Fair payment system will allow riders to pay directly at our fair gates and our buses with credit cards,

[1:37:48] debit cards, virtual wallets, and just about any mode of payment that you would like.

[1:37:54] Late next year patrons will even be able to buy breeze cards from retailers.

[1:37:58] We will have new fair boxes and validators on our buses as well.

[1:38:03] We'll have new station gate arrays where you pass through,

[1:38:08] which are more aesthetically pleasing and harder to fair evade.

[1:38:13] The pilot fair gates have been installed at Limburg Station already,

[1:38:17] and I invite yourselves or the public who want to see what this might look like.

[1:38:21] We've kept the construction fencing at Limburg C through,

[1:38:24] so you can see what it's like if you'd like to see.

[1:38:26] But those TVMs at Lindberg were just to start.

[1:38:30] We are engaged in rigorous construction right now across our entire system.

[1:38:35] So you may go to your station and see construction fencing around one entrance in an entrance

[1:38:40] closed.

[1:38:41] That's the better-free system being installed.

[1:38:44] We're going to be conducting extensive public outreach campaign.

[1:38:47] That will begin in January and launch and go through next spring.

[1:38:52] We will be advising you all because I know that sometimes constituents feel more comfortable

[1:38:56] coming to you versus directly to us.

[1:38:58] So we'll be engaging with each of the commissioners

[1:39:01] to make sure that you have all the information

[1:39:02] on our better brief system.

[1:39:05] Additionally, in the spring next slide is our next gen bus

[1:39:08] network, which we're very excited to announce

[1:39:11] will be launching on April 18 of 2026.

[1:39:15] The new network will be smarter faster and better.

[1:39:18] It's going to provide more than triple the number of corridors

[1:39:21] and access to a bus with 15 minute headways are better.

[1:39:27] The service is going to be more consistent

[1:39:29] by delivering the same consistent bus availability

[1:39:33] of frequency each day and seven days a week.

[1:39:37] We'll be adding 12 new martyr-reach zones

[1:39:40] or on-demand zones where in you'll get curb-decorbed service

[1:39:44] if you have a trip that's within that zone,

[1:39:47] your point to point or you can take that

[1:39:50] to one of our fast frequent bus net work or the rail system

[1:39:54] to get to a longer trip that may be outside of that zone.

[1:39:58] Two days ago on December 1st, we...

[1:40:00] We started putting up signs, alerting folks about changes to their best routes, on the bus stops and at the bus amenities themselves.

[1:40:11] You likely start to get questions about that, but there are over 6,000 stops, and in order to get all the notices out, we need to start early.

[1:40:19] We do plan on engaging with your staff and providing information, but the best place to provide information is located on the slide.

[1:40:26] If you're watching online for those here at www.smarta.com forward slash next gen, which is where all the updates will be housed.

[1:40:38] Finally, if you have events or newsletters where you can communicate with your constituents about next gen, network, please do, please reach out to our external affairs team.

[1:40:48] We will provide whatever information or support that you may need.

[1:40:53] In the longer term, we're going to provide tool kits with detailed information to your staff so they'll have handy one or two pages right there in your offices as well.

[1:41:04] Next slide.

[1:41:07] For a moment, I want to talk about public safety.

[1:41:11] And it further requests for the commissioners.

[1:41:12] You can see how MPD has been keeping our brighter safe.

[1:41:16] As of December 1, our numbers are noted on the slide above.

[1:41:19] But of note, and they're all of note, but overall crime is down 29% which is an improvement

[1:41:27] upon what we reported with myself and Chief Career the last time we came before you, which

[1:41:33] were very, very proud about.

[1:41:35] We are one of the safest transit authorities in the nation, but we are aware that not everybody

[1:41:42] feels totally safe on our system, so we are continuing to strive to improve that.

[1:41:46] We work with neighboring public safety and law enforcement agencies.

[1:41:51] We have crime reduction units that partner with Atlanta, East Point College Park, South

[1:41:56] Folten, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, just to name a few of the jurisdictions that we partner

[1:42:01] with as well as Georgia State Patrol and of course Sheriff's Department like Folten counties.

[1:42:07] I want to thank Folten County and the commissioners as well as the Sheriff's Department for

[1:42:12] seats and positions in the academy. We have MPD officers that are go future MPD officers that

[1:42:20] are going through the academy right now. I attended a graduation for two last night that I'm

[1:42:25] very proud of. We committed to this body. The last time I was here to have full

[1:42:32] a lot of sworn officers by the end of the year, which is 250. I'm pleased to report that we

[1:42:42] We committed to hiring an additional 30 sworn officers and 10 field protective specialists,

[1:42:48] which are non sworn officers, who are foolish multipliers for our sworn officers.

[1:42:54] They carry everything that a officer carries except for a gun and a taser.

[1:43:00] And we've hired 10 additional folks to go into academies for our sworn officers.

[1:43:06] were 10 out of the 40 additional positions have been higher. We're very excited about the

[1:43:12] excitement around joining MPD and law enforcement generally, and I want to thank you for

[1:43:17] the partnership to make that happen. Next slide.

[1:43:22] I'm going to turn to our community public engagement. We have done an absolute ton of public engagement

[1:43:29] under external affairs group. They have really ramped it up at the direction of our chief

[1:43:35] staff, myself and our deputy general manager Ronda Allen.

[1:43:40] So I'm going to highlight a few things here.

[1:43:42] Don't worry, I'm not going to go through everything day by day,

[1:43:45] but this is a strong sampling.

[1:43:47] During the month of October,

[1:43:49] we attended over a nine housing events at senior centers

[1:43:53] to update them about the upcoming next-gen bus network,

[1:43:56] better breeze, as well as a variety of new items coming forward.

[1:44:01] In October, we hosted two senior staff,

[1:44:04] of events and we're happy to host commissioners, Ellis, Thorne, Ivory, and Errington's staff.

[1:44:12] And we are able to, we're going to have these throughout next year and on an ongoing basis.

[1:44:17] So if you want your staff to come back and do it again, those who couldn't have staff to attend that other time,

[1:44:22] there are other opportunities in 2026 coming soon.

[1:44:26] And we look forward to hosting your staff for future 101's.

[1:44:29] September 16th, we partnered with local civil groups for national voter registrations day

[1:44:35] where we had folks register as well as disseminating nonpartisan civic engagement materials.

[1:44:49] Next slide. October 23rd, I attended the Eritropolis Board meeting to talk about

[1:44:54] projects and initiatives happening throughout Folten with the focus on South Folten.

[1:45:00] In the greater airport area, and on Thursday, October 30th, in the middle picture, myself, Chief of Staff Parker, as well as our external affairs team, celebrated Atlanta's own outcast by releasing a custom wrapped martyr bus in honor of the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking Stankonia album, which was released on October 31st, 2000, as well as their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[1:45:30] The breeze cards that we've done around that event are wildly popular and they are limited.

[1:45:37] I can't tell you that I have one for each of the commissioners.

[1:45:40] My external staff, a fair staff, will be getting them to your staff outside of this meeting.

[1:45:46] But they are here in the building.

[1:45:49] In November, our external affairs, a research in analysis and MPD teams, we're also talking

[1:45:54] riders in the Campbellton corridor about the Campbellton BRT project at length.

[1:46:02] And then my last slide, I have our legislative agenda, next slide, I apologize.

[1:46:07] Thank you.

[1:46:09] Our legislative agenda, we have two core items that we're focusing on, which is the extension

[1:46:14] of our core penny funding, as well as transit lane, camera, enforcement.

[1:46:21] Our staff was able to visit with chair pits at length and thank you for your time.

[1:46:26] We are sending a deck that kind of summarizes everything to the balance of the commission

[1:46:33] and will make my external affairs in myself available for any follow-up meetings regarding these two legislative items.

[1:46:40] So we can talk in depth to answer any questions.

[1:46:44] With that, I think in terms of speaking, I think I've spoken enough.

[1:46:47] And I'll open it up to questions.

[1:46:49] Thank you all for the time and the opportunity to.

[1:46:52] I'll thank you all for the presentation, Commissioner Harrington, Commissioner Barrett.

[1:46:56] Commissioner Out of Vice-Terrorless.

[1:46:58] Commissioner Carrington.

[1:47:00] Thank you, Mr. Hunt.

[1:47:02] I guess I'll get to the rest of my questions.

[1:47:05] You answered the most important question about the Alcass Police card.

[1:47:09] So I'll skip that question.

[1:47:14] How long do we anticipate arms, street car being down, or when do you anticipate that coming

[1:47:20] back up?

[1:47:21] Good question.

[1:47:22] We've been talking with Georgia Power.

[1:47:24] We have a January 12th.

[1:47:27] I'm going off the top of my head, January 12th date.

[1:47:30] We are disseminating that publicly through our website, the other mode social media, but

[1:47:37] it's really Georgia Power Schedule, but right now that's when we think that they'll

[1:47:41] will be done and we'll be able to get the street car back up in running.

[1:47:45] Okay, awesome.

[1:47:46] And then with the summer here of BRT, what is the anticipated date that that will be open

[1:47:54] or available?

[1:47:57] So the summer hill rapid line is opening and phasier.

[1:47:59] We're going to have the downtown loop done.

[1:48:02] We're projecting having an alignment where we're servicing the downtown loop prior to

[1:48:06] and through World Cup as well as the terminus at Carver Station.

[1:48:10] And then coming back and finishing with the installation of the other stops, post world cup.

[1:48:19] And that is partially why I was asking about the timing because of World Cup.

[1:48:25] And then the five points, transformation was the S3206, all of that is in advance.

[1:48:35] Two dates on the transformation.

[1:48:37] On the transformation project was the big one with the crane street level.

[1:48:41] That's four year project, 2029.

[1:48:44] Below grade, the rehabilitation project will be done in the spring.

[1:48:48] And if you go through the station, you can already see it lighter, brighter as we get closer to completion.

[1:48:53] construction. All right, and then with the Cambodian Green

[1:49:00] Breyer, what do you anticipate being a final design? Final design in

[1:49:05] 2026. Ideally, I'm pushing my team. We'd be able to go out to

[1:49:09] procurement in 2026, but I may be getting a little ahead of myself, but

[1:49:13] at least in 2026.

[1:49:20] All right, I definitely would like to follow up with someone

[1:49:25] you're off this or you're team about more on that Camelton World Greenbriar project.

[1:49:32] Certainly, Commissioner Naked,

[1:49:39] you covered a lot of them just trying to make sure I

[1:49:41] got everything.

[1:49:48] I think that's all that I have. Thank you so much.

[1:49:51] Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Mr. Hunt, for the thorough presentation.

[1:49:56] Seems like there's a lot of good things coming. I'm excited for that.

[1:50:00] Just had a quick question on public safety, in particular, is it relates to the five-point station.

[1:50:06] We're seeing obviously a lot of building happening downtown, a lot of revitalization and retail

[1:50:12] restaurants and things like that coming in. And I've heard from a couple of developers just

[1:50:16] with some concerns, because it has been an area where the station itself has had some issues

[1:50:21] around crime. And I think they're looking for reassurance that Marta's going to step up the

[1:50:27] patrols at the station itself.

[1:50:29] Thank you for the question.

[1:50:31] We share the same concern as the residents down there

[1:50:34] in the business community.

[1:50:36] We've met with all the major stakeholders in and around,

[1:50:40] as well as the city of Atlanta, Georgia State.

[1:50:44] We've renewed the partnership on policing there

[1:50:47] between the three of us.

[1:50:49] Part of the lighting was we were directing lighting

[1:50:52] outward to brighten it up.

[1:50:54] We do patrol obviously our construction site

[1:50:56] We have officers on site almost 24 hours a day, and I want to give away too much of our

[1:51:01] policing, but I've instructed our chief to go ahead and have those folks patrol our

[1:51:06] fence line as well, and I know that all of our partners are also doing the same as well

[1:51:13] as South downtown and the whole broad street redevelopment we've collaborated with them

[1:51:18] as well.

[1:51:18] So it is a huge focus for us, and we don't want the site just because it's construction

[1:51:23] in the area to deteriorate at all.

[1:51:25] Yeah, and I also mean beyond that when it's back.

[1:51:27] So you're going to be in the backstage right now.

[1:51:29] Yes, it's going to be robust.

[1:51:31] Okay.

[1:51:32] Police presence.

[1:51:33] Awesome.

[1:51:33] Thank you.

[1:51:35] Vice chair, Ellis.

[1:51:38] Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Mr. Hunt, for the update.

[1:51:42] Just one thing I guess we're, you know, we talked about this a little bit, I think, at

[1:51:47] the prior update, but if there would be a way to sort of translate this back.

[1:51:54] As we look at, as you're presenting kind of the projects that are in flight,

[1:52:03] one of the things I asked at the prior meeting was did we have sort of specific, did you all have sort of specific impacts that this we're going to have in terms of ridership and usage associated with each project?

[1:52:16] If that's something that could be added to these slides going forward, I think that would be.

[1:52:20] absolutely bomb us. And we do with our especially with the

[1:52:24] alignments we have to do right ridership analysis and

[1:52:27] play for Grand Funding. That is no problem. Okay. I'll make sure to

[1:52:31] add them as we when I come back to updates as well as provide it to

[1:52:35] your office. Okay. That would be great. And then as we get into

[1:52:41] you noted kind of in a legislative agenda,

[1:52:46] the extension of the

[1:52:49] penny, the core penny.

[1:52:54] I do think it would be good for all of us to get misses and important

[1:52:58] decision. Obviously, I want to help the transit system, but we also want to make sure we

[1:53:03] got something that's in place that fosters that too occur, a lot of money involved in these

[1:53:11] decisions. I think there'd be useful to get some not only whatever this presentation you're

[1:53:18] share with us, but maybe some addendons with that, and I'll be glad to get this in specific

[1:53:25] writing to you.

[1:53:26] But I had sort of three or four core areas, I think number one, a list of the capital projects

[1:53:33] that were completed in the prior tenure period, and the capital costs associated with those.

[1:53:40] A list of the, at least the top 10, maybe the top 20 capital projects that were in flight, and

[1:53:49] estimated cost on those in completion date, and then the impact on the ridership and usage

[1:53:54] like we just talked about.

[1:53:57] A 10-year look back of the sales tax proceeds received by the entity broken out by the

[1:54:08] different jurisdictions, right, the signatures, and then a cost incurred by Marta for the

[1:54:15] five years for administrative sort of non-operational, and then to the extent you could do it for planning.

[1:54:23] Gotcha.

[1:54:24] It might be a little bit more difficult in that last one than we've got to say.

[1:54:27] We've got that.

[1:54:28] We will provide it and sit down and.

[1:54:31] Yeah.

[1:54:32] And I'll send this list back to you, but I think, you know, certainly, I think all

[1:54:36] our board members should have that, you know, is sort of thinking about that and looking at

[1:54:42] that whole discussion around the corpending extension.

[1:54:44] And I'll follow up and write 100% into you.

[1:54:47] OK, thank you, Mr. Ron.

[1:54:48] Thank you, Commissioner Ellis.

[1:54:49] All right, Commissioner Ivory.

[1:54:51] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[1:54:52] Hello, CEO, hon.

[1:54:53] Thank you very much for the outcast breeze thing.

[1:54:56] I'll be using it.

[1:54:59] I wanted to first.

[1:55:00] So thank you for the advanced amount of work that's being done on this summer. He'll be RT. I come down,

[1:55:05] Hank Aaron, every day as I live in that area and I have seen a major difference in the work.

[1:55:13] And I wondered if you had any information on what is going to be that sort of neighborhood store that was on the corner of

[1:55:23] on and Hank Aaron, that is at one of the stops.

[1:55:28] What is that new construction?

[1:55:29] Is that just in renovation of what was there before?

[1:55:32] Or is that something new?

[1:55:33] So the prior owner, very vigorous and adept real estate

[1:55:39] negotiator, and subsequent to us getting construction entry

[1:55:45] in a right-of-way rights belief that property

[1:55:48] has been sold to a new entity.

[1:55:50] So I don't know what's going on.

[1:55:52] I can't have our real estate team do a reach out and try to figure out what they're doing there,

[1:55:56] but I have noticed the construction as well.

[1:55:58] Yeah, I'm getting a lot of questions from constituents about what that was a corner grocery store

[1:56:04] that always had some problems.

[1:56:06] And so the community is just trying to figure out what is that replacement thing going to be right there.

[1:56:12] And that's a stop.

[1:56:13] So it's going to be used heavily to make sure whatever it is.

[1:56:16] Our real estate team maintains close contact so we reach out and get back to you.

[1:56:20] Okay, great.

[1:56:21] And then just wanting a refresher on how the summer hill line

[1:56:24] is going to feed into the street car,

[1:56:27] or if it does at any point,

[1:56:29] or where does it, does it feed?

[1:56:32] Does it connect past each other?

[1:56:34] What does it do?

[1:56:35] It will touch.

[1:56:36] On the southern, starting from the south,

[1:56:38] the southern term is the carber.

[1:56:40] It will have a connection to the belt line.

[1:56:42] It's there, they just need to do that.

[1:56:44] Physical, vertical connection, which isn't easy,

[1:56:47] but it'll have a direct connection to the belt line.

[1:56:48] as you move north and you get into the downtown loop,

[1:56:51] we will touch the Beltline, we will touch a couple of stations,

[1:56:57] Georgia State front of the Sloppy Floyd building right there.

[1:57:02] So students on the summer hill, Hank Aaron,

[1:57:05] BRT, that go to Georgia State, can pick it up right there

[1:57:07] at the Olympic rings and take it the rest of the way.

[1:57:11] All the way down to the Bury of New Apartments of Carverestation

[1:57:13] and go to Strait to Georgia State and have their day

[1:57:16] and get back to 15 minutes or less.

[1:57:18] Great. All right. Well, thank you so much. That's really cool. Thank you. Thank you.

[1:57:21] All right. Commissioner Bridget Thorn.

[1:57:25] Hi, CEO Hunt. Thank you for this extensive report here.

[1:57:32] Could you give me just a little bit more detail on the transit lane camera enforcement that is on the agenda?

[1:57:41] Absolutely. So what we're looking to do on the transit lane enforcement is we've had it.

[1:57:46] introduced it in the legislative session last in 2024. In 2025 it made it out of the house

[1:57:54] and it kind of sits in the committee. There's been a little bit of push back and a version

[1:57:59] to Camerlain enforcement with really came out of the school bus, Camerlain enforcement.

[1:58:06] So folks heard Camerlain enforcement and there was a little bit of hesitancy at the legislature

[1:58:11] that it can kill it, so we plan on going back next year.

[1:58:16] And in short, it's to allow us to be able to enforce and make sure people aren't in the bus only lane with their personal vehicles so that we can maintain the headways and allow the local jurisdiction issue a ticket necessary.

[1:58:32] There are warnings that isn't an immediate ticket first time to get warnings before a ticket is issued.

[1:58:38] but that's it in very, very brief for that.

[1:58:43] Thank you, Commissioner Thorn.

[1:58:45] All right, other questions?

[1:58:47] Not, thank you very much.

[1:58:48] You see you next morning.

[1:58:49] Yes, sir.

[1:58:49] All right.

[1:58:50] Continue Madam Clerk.

[1:58:51] On page seven, county managers renewal items.

[1:58:55] 25, 0, 9, 2, 3, registration and election.

[1:58:59] Request the approval to renew existing contracts for ballot printing in the amount of 260,000,

[1:59:05] $460.

[1:59:06] All right, most into approval by Commissioner Abdurrah Khman, seconded by Commissioner Thorne

[1:59:10] please vote.

[1:59:13] Let's vote.

[1:59:13] Let me vote as open.

[1:59:18] In the motion passes unanimously.

[1:59:20] $25,000, $0.9,4 information technology.

[1:59:23] Recreased approval to renew it existing contract for countywide audio visual services and

[1:59:28] systems in a total amount not to exceed $116,680,890.

[1:59:34] $48.

[1:59:35] Most into approval by Commissioner Abdurrah Khman, seconded by Commissioner Thorne,

[1:59:39] Thank you Mr Chairman. I just wanted to ask to better understand this AV services request because we go through a lot of IT requests in our meetings that we don't really have much discussion on for very large amounts and I continue to see them each week in the millions and millions of

[2:00:00] So, I just want to ask what exactly are these AV services that might amount to 1.6 million dollars?

[2:00:11] No problem. Good morning. Say I owe care again. Commissioner Ivory, we have numerous facilities that have AV equipment needs to tidy their capital improvement projects or just refresh projects for that equipment.

[2:00:23] So, we have a list of projects that we can share if you'd like to see the detail.

[2:00:26] But it's really just the care and feeding support and upgrading of all of those AV systems throughout the county.

[2:00:32] And so there's a lot of work that is done that equates to these dollar amounts but happy to have further conversation if you want to see those details.

[2:00:39] Okay, yes, I would love to have that list.

[2:00:41] Thank you.

[2:00:42] No problem.

[2:00:42] Commissioner Harrington.

[2:00:46] I think we may have the, I think I spoke with the county manager about the issue.

[2:00:50] But for example, I was at the Wolf Creek Library

[2:00:52] and all of the screens are down with the screen

[2:00:57] or the board was replaced because the technology

[2:00:59] was all or there was a plan to replace those screens.

[2:01:03] Is this part of that?

[2:01:05] I don't have that answer right now,

[2:01:07] but I could definitely look into Wolf Creek

[2:01:08] and make sure that that's being addressed.

[2:01:11] OK, yeah, because in the meeting rooms,

[2:01:13] there was a visual board up.

[2:01:16] But I wasn't there for a meeting two weeks ago,

[2:01:18] and there's no board and no way to do audio visual,

[2:01:23] or at least not the visual.

[2:01:25] I will say we're having discussions to look

[2:01:28] at a true refresh program for AV equipment needs.

[2:01:32] Right now it's a lot of project-based work.

[2:01:34] And so I think we would have a proposal

[2:01:37] that would look at how can we have additional support

[2:01:41] because we have limited staff that support the AV equipment today

[2:01:44] with these vendors taking on more of that support.

[2:01:47] and then doing more health checks

[2:01:49] and caring feeding of those systems

[2:01:51] so that we have them on a routine replacement cycle.

[2:01:54] So I think there's things we could do to improve

[2:01:57] how we manage a via across the county

[2:01:58] and we're taking steps to implement that as well.

[2:02:02] We can definitely look at the Wolf Creek item.

[2:02:05] Thank you.

[2:02:06] You're welcome.

[2:02:07] All right, other questions, comments?

[2:02:08] Not in the phone, please.

[2:02:11] And the vote is open.

[2:02:16] And the motion passes unanimously.

[2:02:18] 25, 0, 9, 2, 5, external affairs.

[2:02:20] because of approval to renew existing contracts for communication and engagement services in the

[2:02:26] amount of 477,875 dollars.

[2:02:30] Yeah, I'm pushing to approve Commissioner Abdul-Rachman, seconded by Vice Chair of Ellis.

[2:02:36] Ms. Corbett, I think it's, come on up, think we need to have some discussion about this.

[2:02:42] Because it's a barrier.

[2:02:45] If you want to give us a run, I was going to ask you to, what this specifically is for is the

[2:02:49] experience full-time thing. Yeah, that's correct, Commissioner. So just to give you an update,

[2:02:56] this year our focus has been on two big parts. One is activating on the experience full-time brand.

[2:03:03] That has meant community outreach. So we've done a lot of outreach using that experience full-time

[2:03:10] updated collateral. Some of which is completed. Some of which is in the very final edit stage to be

[2:03:19] my working draft is one example fact sheets for your districts as well and then there's a

[2:03:29] second or parallel to that work is public relations media outreach. So they have complimented the

[2:03:37] work that our team does day to day with media engagement and really with a focus on both regional

[2:03:45] national, as well as trade publications. So, for example, work in, there's a, there's a

[2:03:53] publication called Managed Health, which is a national industry publication, and Dr. Ishal and

[2:04:00] Latrina were both featured talking about our work with Project Care in addressing health equity

[2:04:06] and access, especially with mental health. So, those are some examples of, they've just, we've done

[2:04:14] a lot of work about our airport preparations for the World Cup, so stories that may not

[2:04:19] to be really the day to day bread and butter stories that we work on with general government

[2:04:26] operations, but more telling the story of some of our higher profile projects and work

[2:04:33] in those ways. I'm going into 2026. There's a couple of special buckets that we've really

[2:04:42] identified as priorities. One of course is our work in justice, so the work around the jail,

[2:04:49] making sure that the community is aware of that, working with us to make sure

[2:04:54] as projects come to light and construction begins that we're able to really effectively.

[2:05:00] Communicate that. In supplement the work that we have in our team, obviously collaborating with the

[2:05:05] Sheriff's Office. Another part of that is our work around health care. This board has had a lot of

[2:05:14] interest in that. So specifically behavioral health, which I think you're next to agenda item, we've

[2:05:21] really identified marketing of those behavioral health services as a high priority. So while our team

[2:05:27] has done a lot of work.

[2:05:29] We are not specialists in health care marketing,

[2:05:32] and that is a very specific discipline,

[2:05:36] so having a semeditional resources

[2:05:37] to support our work there.

[2:05:40] And then lastly, I know that you have a budget discussion today.

[2:05:45] We did make a request that is not currently

[2:05:49] one of the funded enhancements around marketing

[2:05:53] for the World Cup.

[2:05:54] This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really elevate

[2:05:58] Fulton County's sort of a brand awareness as well as engagement

[2:06:06] as a community around the events that are happening.

[2:06:12] So there are many convention and visitors,

[2:06:14] bureaus and chambers of commerce across Fulton County.

[2:06:17] There is no single Fulton County convention and visitors

[2:06:21] bureau or chamber of commerce.

[2:06:23] So if we want to elevate Fulton County as a participant and as a host community, that we are

[2:06:31] going to need to take some leadership with that.

[2:06:34] So those are some of the initiatives that are planned for the upcoming year.

[2:06:39] Thank you.

[2:06:40] You mentioned some of the things that you've been working on this year that are more national,

[2:06:47] like the health article that you mentioned.

[2:06:50] What is the goal of this kind of outreach?

[2:06:54] That's a great question.

[2:06:56] What we have found is that while people in full and county

[2:07:01] are enjoying a very positive quality of life,

[2:07:06] that many people both locally and regionally and nationally

[2:07:10] are not aware of the services that full and county provides,

[2:07:13] this is a common issue, I think, especially

[2:07:16] when you have a county government in a large city,

[2:07:20] that there's sort of a,

[2:07:24] and we've all experienced this in our day-to-day lives

[2:07:27] that sometimes residents are not clear

[2:07:29] about what services the county provides,

[2:07:31] what versus what services the cities provide.

[2:07:35] And so really our goal with all of this

[2:07:37] is to raise awareness and understanding

[2:07:40] of what Fulting County government is responsible

[2:07:44] for both locally, and then again, we're very fortunate to have a county that is doing exceptional

[2:07:53] work in many areas. And so we think it's appropriate to raise that awareness on a broader

[2:07:59] stage as well. Okay, and is this, I know this is just a contract renewal here, but is this part

[2:08:06] of your base budget for next year? This is included in the county's base budget, yes. Yeah, I think

[2:08:12] service every year, but I just feel like, you know, we're so, you know, beholden to

[2:08:16] tightening our belts, and we're talking about asking all the departments to cut

[2:08:20] one percent, and all of that, that marketing just, and I'm a comms person, you know this,

[2:08:25] and if we had, you know, if we were agreeing on having the means to do everything we need to do,

[2:08:30] I would be all for it. But I do have concerns that we're spending on this and not on other things.

[2:08:37] So, you know, I'm like I said, I think I say it every year, but, you know, it's nothing to do with

[2:08:41] work that's being done there or what the efforts on, you know, your department's part.

[2:08:46] I think what you're some of what you're talking about, I do think is really critical.

[2:08:50] I guess I also just have a question slash concern about how effective we're being at

[2:08:57] getting some of that messaging out about what county the county does in terms of services locally,

[2:09:02] because I still, and it's very anecdotal what I'm saying right now, but I anecdotally still find

[2:09:07] that most people don't know.

[2:09:09] So I don't know how effective we're being at messaging

[2:09:12] to our own citizens about our services.

[2:09:15] I think we've done some work on saying

[2:09:17] Fulton's a great place to live, but we really,

[2:09:20] and like Citizens University is an example

[2:09:22] teaches people how many people take advantage of that kind of thing.

[2:09:25] So I don't know if we do go through with this

[2:09:28] and it does pass and you have it next year,

[2:09:31] is there a way to sort of reshape some of what we're doing

[2:09:33] so it is more home-focused.

[2:09:35] I think that's really great feedback, Commissioner, and I certainly understand that compared

[2:09:45] to the many, many very important services that my colleagues provide, I understand that

[2:09:51] communication can seem like a bell and whistle.

[2:10:00] I would be remiss if I didn't say that I do think it is foundational and important, you know, and that the work that our team does to really try to connect people with services.

[2:10:11] I think that's our ultimate goal. I hear you loud and clear and I do agree that there is an infinite pool of opportunity to continue to make an impact and make sure people are more aware and have greater understanding.

[2:10:26] So I received that and I think that's we're aligned in that the importance of that work.

[2:10:32] Thank you.

[2:10:34] Commissioner Ivory.

[2:10:35] Thank you Chairman and thank you Commissioner Barrett for those comments and thank you.

[2:10:39] Jessica for all of your hard work.

[2:10:41] I watch it and I see it happen on a daily basis and I just want to add that I share those concerns as well.

[2:10:47] Considering that we have crises happening in our county and we're about to have a budget conversation.

[2:10:53] And you know, we already know that we are probably going to have to raise the military.

[2:10:57] So when I think about these kind of expenses, I think about ways that we could, you know,

[2:11:04] more cheaply and more effectively reach more people.

[2:11:07] And I think that that is with our online presence.

[2:11:09] And I do think that we need, I haven't seen from the top right, folks, a real change

[2:11:17] digital sort of a digital push that goes to the places where people are and people are

[2:11:24] online on TikTok on Instagram. So while we might spend a lot of time printing things and

[2:11:32] giving them out to folks, I think that we need to think about using FGTV and the YouTube page

[2:11:39] and TikTok and Instagram a little bit more effectively and maybe with a little bit of a younger

[2:11:45] approach to it to spread these messages because just like Commissioner Barrett said when I speak to constituents and I'm very much in the streets a lot

[2:11:55] They just still do not know what Fulton offers. So I would just offer that one more piece of social media

[2:12:01] That could be a cheap way to get a lot of exposure and might just take us a really smart college graduate

[2:12:09] You know or or a high school intern or one of our youth ambassadors to come in and do

[2:12:15] to some work on that. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[2:12:19] Commissioner, up to Rock 1. Thank you, Chairman.

[2:12:25] This is cool, but first of all, I want to thank you because I remember

[2:12:28] in sitting down in five almost six years. We had a conversation that you all

[2:12:33] were not doing enough. And we said that as a body, we would support the

[2:12:38] resources that you need it because at one point the chairman did say and I

[2:12:43] Remember, very clearly, Atlanta is Atlanta,

[2:12:47] Fulton is Fulton, but Atlanta sits in Fulton.

[2:12:50] And so a lot of times the messaging went out,

[2:12:53] it would be Atlanta and not Fulton.

[2:12:55] And so I want to thank you for the work that your department

[2:12:58] has done to make sure that our messaging has been better.

[2:13:03] And I also want to thank you in cooperation with,

[2:13:13] the counter-managers staff in making sure our seniors,

[2:13:19] a lot of our seniors are not social media savvy,

[2:13:24] and we had a conversation of what efforts Dr. Rocher,

[2:13:28] you remember back in the day, what could we do to make sure our seniors

[2:13:32] were more engaged, had more information,

[2:13:35] because everybody is not on TikTok,

[2:13:38] all our seniors are not on Facebook,

[2:13:41] and so what do we do to make sure that they're not left behind?

[2:13:46] So I'm going to record saying thank you for that conversation, county manager, that we had previously,

[2:13:53] that we know that we have to make sure that our lease of these, which is our seniors,

[2:13:59] and our community, that may not be on social media, but needs to have access.

[2:14:06] And so, thank you for doing that.

[2:14:09] I will always support resources to make sure that we don't leave anybody behind.

[2:14:14] But I remember the conversation clearly, County Manager, and Dr. Roscia, that we had,

[2:14:19] that we needed to do more from a county level, not only to message and brand full-tank

[2:14:25] county, we also needed to do what we needed to do in our capacity to make sure those that

[2:14:33] not on social media, still had the very vital information of the services that are down here.

[2:14:40] So I just want to take this time to thank you for all you have done.

[2:14:44] Thank you, Commissioner. I appreciate that.

[2:14:46] Commissioner Erie,

[2:14:49] thank you, Jessica, as always, during your team do a great job. I'm just

[2:14:56] I do have some pause about this marketing effort.

[2:15:00] We're given our current financial status. And then I wonder also about how many of these that we bring up, what is the shelf life of these? We've got four elections make sure, right?

[2:15:16] So you talk about premium stuff by district and per commissioner. And we might have four seats turn over makes sure, right? And so what is the shelf life of this stuff?

[2:15:28] I think this is a great question.

[2:15:30] The majority of the materials are focused on the departments and the work that they do,

[2:15:36] but you're right, some of the pieces of course we want to feature our leadership and of

[2:15:41] course we understand that next year is an important year.

[2:15:45] So we're tapering that accordingly to make sure that we're not over-printing and we have

[2:15:54] Also, to see that we have all the native design files to allow us to make updates easily.

[2:16:00] So that was a important part of our negotiation that we weren't wrong.

[2:16:04] If we needed to update a sheet that we wouldn't tie up more resources just on that,

[2:16:09] that we could focus on new projects that make sense.

[2:16:13] And then do we plan on making these items available digitally?

[2:16:17] 100% yes.

[2:16:19] I think that's a great point.

[2:16:21] in the one of the, not to believe or this, but one of the important parts of the work

[2:16:27] of the fact sheets was that they, by gathering and kind of curating that information,

[2:16:34] it allows us to use it not only in a fact sheet format, but also in video and social content

[2:16:41] so they're sort of a building block that we can then use internal resources partner with

[2:16:48] of GTV and our own staff and our design team to use that same content in other formats that makes sense.

[2:16:56] Okay.

[2:16:57] And then finally, are we experienced full-time?

[2:17:08] I haven't really heard.

[2:17:09] I haven't heard really or seen these advertisements.

[2:17:13] And I haven't heard anyone approach me or talk about them.

[2:17:18] So, I'm also questioning whether they're really getting through and then are we working or reaching out to the different

[2:17:28] compensator, convention and visitors, bureaus and the cities because, you know,

[2:17:35] the way to experience fault in this through the cities.

[2:17:40] Yes, or just in the last three weeks, we have had a call specifically focused on the World Cup and working with our cities

[2:17:48] to carry one to make sure they're prepared for the guidelines for participating in FIFA events.

[2:17:57] They're aware of those, and as we go into that planning process, the team draw is this Friday,

[2:18:04] is one example. So that's one element is how we've engaged. We've also through our outreach

[2:18:12] strategies this year, been very intentional about participating in events that have been

[2:18:17] hosted by the cities, so we've participated in Atlanta streets alive, and a live in Roswell

[2:18:27] and the Palmello, I think it's a fall festival, and Chattaguchi Hills fall festival

[2:18:34] on and on across the county. And so we absolutely think that really activating our partnerships

[2:18:44] So their cities is very, very important and agreed.

[2:18:48] We want to see that continue to grow and be stronger.

[2:18:52] And I do want to clarify that we are not currently

[2:18:54] doing any paid advertisement.

[2:18:57] That is not, that is what we've saw additional resources for.

[2:19:03] Excuse me, but we are not currently

[2:19:04] doing paid advertisement.

[2:19:09] So this contract is just what for the production and training

[2:19:13] That's correct. And again, there's also PR and media outreach as well.

[2:19:23] That's a lot of booklets,

[2:19:27] 400,000,000,000.

[2:19:30] All right, thank you.

[2:19:31] Thank you.

[2:19:32] Vice-chair Ellis?

[2:19:35] This is more than just booklets.

[2:19:37] I mean, can you just tell me that?

[2:19:39] I mean,

[2:19:44] you asked your particular area to do a lot of things, right?

[2:19:53] And it's been a pretty constrained area, there was a bigger ask before us, which we decided not to entertain because we're trying.

[2:20:00] We're trying to do all the stuff that we're trying to do, but we also recognize that we've got, this is a necessary thing that we need to do.

[2:20:08] And it's not been an area of strength for us to be able to do this stuff because it's been resource from strength.

[2:20:17] So this is, you know, taking a measure to approach to it. So can you lead to some of the other things that this gets into?

[2:20:23] Yes, thank you, Commissioner, so one other area I'd like to highlight is that they didn't mention earlier.

[2:20:31] One of the ways you've all talked about this in different ways, that one of the ways the full county makes a tremendous impact is through partnerships.

[2:20:40] So with our arts and culture grants, for example, with our community services program, another example is in the next meeting I believe you will be, and this is when we're using as our launch for this program, is you're basically funding of nonprofits and partners, and so a lot of times how that shows up in the community is very inconsistent.

[2:21:09] Some have our logo nice and big and proud and some we never know that any dollars went to that

[2:21:17] organization. So one of our projects has been to develop a framework and a tool kit so that

[2:21:26] every time we're providing dollars to an agency they get a set of graphics they get a certificate or

[2:21:35] that goes, hangs up in their physical location,

[2:21:40] that they have materials to put in their newsletter,

[2:21:43] that they have, again, graphics for their social media,

[2:21:47] and that that has handled consistently throughout the, for every program.

[2:21:54] So we chose the opioid funding, which is coming before you all very soon,

[2:22:00] because it's a new program, and we wanted to really highlight that

[2:22:05] is a starting point and then implement that for all of our other programs.

[2:22:09] So that's something that you're going to see very shortly.

[2:22:12] But that's one example where we really took the time to do the analysis of, like,

[2:22:17] how are we not showing up?

[2:22:19] This is one of the big places where we're investing a lot of money and not really getting

[2:22:25] visibility.

[2:22:27] The community isn't aware necessarily of how those dollars are being spent.

[2:22:31] And so that's one example, Commissioner Ellis, of how that would show up differently than it has in the past.

[2:22:41] So I realize it's hard to explain and it's hard without seeing and touching all of it.

[2:22:46] But those are some of the examples of how we're trying to increase our impact and visibility in the community through communications.

[2:22:53] And I think almost any organization of any substance or size is using external resources

[2:23:01] to help them with communication.

[2:23:03] I mean, that's almost a given.

[2:23:05] We've not really done up until this, we've not really done a lot of that.

[2:23:11] And these folks are also serving as a resource to you, in terms of, hey, when we get a complex

[2:23:20] message that we're trying to deal with and respond to, they're there to help support you as

[2:23:26] also in terms of how do we sort of tackle this thing. In a way that, you know, we've got

[2:23:31] limited resources to do, but to get out of response to, you know, focus on a certain message

[2:23:38] around, et cetera. So that's occurring also, right? That's absolutely true. And again,

[2:23:46] our

[2:23:47] report folio of crisis response is very significant, you know, that's, that's a

[2:23:52] disappointing communications unto itself. And because we, you know, that's just

[2:23:57] the nature of government sometimes things happen, you must respond to them. So

[2:24:01] having professionals with different background and skillset to work with, to

[2:24:08] collaborate with as those issues come up, I mentioned the jail as construction as

[2:24:14] there it begins to move for some of those projects, there will be a lot of visibility, a lot of

[2:24:20] community impact, and so those are examples of that. We, you know, again, healthcare

[2:24:29] is a very complex issue, healthcare marketing for behavioral health, where you're also dealing

[2:24:35] with the issues of stigma and access and trust that all can be barriers to people really

[2:24:44] participating in that. So having a marketing strategy that takes all of that into account,

[2:24:50] those are some other areas where having these resources has been very helpful.

[2:24:55] Thank you.

[2:24:57] Commissioner Thorne?

[2:24:59] Yes.

[2:25:00] I remember meeting with AVA, AVA, top right, having a Zoom meeting with them and you spent a couple

[2:25:07] years, but I remember the necessity of trying to implement a program to get brand recognition.

[2:25:14] I know I work with a lot of companies with web design and just developing a branding kit

[2:25:22] is a huge expense to most companies and then enforcing those guidelines as another expense

[2:25:29] expense as well. And I do remember that there was, this wasn't the complete ask. It was just

[2:25:37] what we thought we could find at the time. That's correct, Commissioner. And this is,

[2:25:42] we're in that similar position where we did make an additional enhancement ask that would have been

[2:25:48] for additional paid advertising and things of that nature. And that is not currently funded. But this is,

[2:25:56] continuation of that brand building work, storytelling, trying to raise awareness in the

[2:26:01] community. I think the points about digital are very important. We've tried to internally

[2:26:07] re-allocate resources to put more into our digital staffing. We've elevated a position in that area.

[2:26:14] We've hired transitioned one person in additional position into digital because we think that's important.

[2:26:21] And so I think that's heard and received that really making that a big focus as we go into

[2:26:28] this.

[2:26:29] And I appreciate that.

[2:26:30] I know your staff work extreme amount of hours and weekends and holidays you guys are

[2:26:37] always there having to deal with the crisis and messaging and all that.

[2:26:43] And so I think the original ask was maybe like 1.2 million but we didn't fund that full

[2:26:51] package, but it's not exact.

[2:26:54] OK.

[2:26:54] Thank you.

[2:26:55] Thank you very much.

[2:26:57] Excuse me.

[2:26:57] Commissioner Ivory.

[2:26:58] Thank you, Chairman.

[2:26:59] And I just wanted to tell you real quick.

[2:27:01] I was at one of the senior centers in my district.

[2:27:04] And it happened to be one of the days where they were doing the digital, the

[2:27:08] contractor that comes in and works with the seniors doing digital.

[2:27:10] And they were having so much fun downloading apps on their phone.

[2:27:13] And all that.

[2:27:14] So if you have the digital toolkit that they can use to see these services.

[2:27:18] perhaps we could send that to the contractor as one of the lessons because he did say to me

[2:27:23] if you have things you want me to use in the center sense so I think that would be a perfect

[2:27:27] partnership. I think that's a great idea especially in one of the other topics I know we're going to

[2:27:33] discuss later is about senior homestead exemptions that is something where there are both the paper

[2:27:40] and digital forms available so we want people to be able to access it however they're comfortable.

[2:27:45] Great, thank you. Thank you so much.

[2:27:48] All right, the motion on the floor is to approve. Let's vote.

[2:27:52] And the vote is open.

[2:27:59] And the motion passes six jays one day.

[2:28:01] Thank you.

[2:28:03] On page nine.

[2:28:05] 250926, request approval to renew existing contracts for

[2:28:09] Fulton County behavior health network in the total amount not to see

[2:28:13] 15 million.

[2:28:20] We have a motion to adopt my commission if Vice Chair Ellis, seconded by Commissioner Thorne.

[2:28:35] Questions comments.

[2:28:37] Dr. Rochelle, this is all of his total is about 15 million.

[2:28:43] Can you just comment on the effectiveness of, I don't know how to measure this.

[2:28:49] Thank you Chairman for that question.

[2:28:53] The Department of Behavioral Health does conduct performance reviews and other reviews of

[2:28:58] those contracts and performance and I will have Latrina Foster provide more details about

[2:29:06] what the department undertakes to determine the effectiveness of those programs.

[2:29:21] Good afternoon, commissioners.

[2:29:22] Let's train a foster, behave your health.

[2:29:27] Today, before you, I'm requesting to renew existing contracts, which creates the Fulton

[2:29:33] County Behavioral Health Network as Jessica just spoke of.

[2:29:37] It was very important to us that we created our brand and not emphasize the brand of the contractors

[2:29:45] that were serving providing services on our behalf.

[2:29:48] So with that said, in 2023, we created the Photon County Behavior Health Network, and these are the contracts before you.

[2:29:56] Within these contracts, we have two contracts.

[2:30:00] Members that provide child and adolescent services on our behalf, Chris 180, who provides services at our

[2:30:06] atmosphere regional health center, as well as our north-photent service center. Their goal is to

[2:30:12] serve 1,200 individuals each year. As of the end of quarter 3 of 2025, they have exceeded that

[2:30:21] with those 1,200 plus individuals that they have been able to serve, they provide three or

[2:30:31] more services to over 665 individuals that they provide services to, which speaks to their

[2:30:38] ability to establish relationships with the individuals that they run their services to,

[2:30:44] and that individuals trust them and return back for services.

[2:30:48] Our other child medalist and provider is Georgia Hope.

[2:30:53] Who continues to struggle in this space within this network.

[2:30:58] However, there's still a crucial component of our behavior

[2:31:02] of network.

[2:31:03] They were in their services at O'Keele, child medalist and facility.

[2:31:07] They have been able to provide services to 400 plus individuals

[2:31:12] as of the end of quarter three of 2025.

[2:31:16] However, they are not meeting their target goal, which is to serve 800 individuals.

[2:31:22] The reason why their number is less, what the number of individuals they are slated

[2:31:26] to serve is because their contractual amount is less.

[2:31:31] If you look on the request for the approval, their award amount each year is $800,000.

[2:31:37] What we're asking for in 2026 is to provide us with six months to renew their contract so

[2:31:44] that we're able to implement in effective transition,

[2:31:47] excuse me, in effective transition plan,

[2:31:50] and look at bringing on a new provider

[2:31:52] at O'Kill Child and Adolescent Family Center.

[2:31:55] Our other two contractors for adult behavior health

[2:31:59] is Grady.

[2:32:00] Grady provides services at our South Folten Service Center

[2:32:04] as of today, when I say today,

[2:32:06] I mean the end of quarter three, which is October 31, 2025.

[2:32:10] They have been able to provide over 1,400 individuals, services at the South Fulton Service Center.

[2:32:19] They provide a lower number of services at our North Fulton Service Center where they're around

[2:32:26] 675 individuals where they have run their services.

[2:32:30] However, based on their numbers, they have exceeded their KPI, which they are slated to serve

[2:32:36] 1,800 unique individuals throughout the year of 2025, and addition to that, out of the individuals

[2:32:43] that they have served, they have been able to ensure that over 300 individuals have medication

[2:32:50] management, which is a very costly service. These are individuals that do not have insurance,

[2:32:56] but need access to medication. So through this contract, they are able to obtain their

[2:33:01] education as well as their therapeutic services, which is your individual therapy group therapy sessions.

[2:33:08] Our other adult behavior health provider is River Edge. River Edge provides services at the Center for Health and Rehabilitation.

[2:33:16] Their annual goal is to serve 1200 individuals. Every year they exceed their goal of the number of individuals that they serve.

[2:33:24] They are an excellent partner, they ensure that individuals have access to their medication, as well as individual group therapy as well.

[2:33:33] In addition to the contracts before you, the renewal also involves our partnership, our IGA with the City of Atlanta, which is inclusive of our support to permanent support of housing units.

[2:33:46] At this point, we are able to provide support to 296 individuals and PSA units.

[2:33:53] Within those 298 units, we have two providers.

[2:33:57] We have River Edge, we provide services to 88 PSA units.

[2:34:02] In addition to that, they provide services to a little over 50 individuals in our land

[2:34:09] housing voucher, which was a spin-off from our COVID response when we were hotel in the

[2:34:15] was during COVID and then those individuals transition into permanent support of housing units.

[2:34:22] And then we have step up on second who provides support services to 149 PSH units in

[2:34:28] Fulton County and those are the contracts before you and the total amount of 15 plus million.

[2:34:42] May just ask one other question.

[2:34:45] Not one.

[2:34:45] So you use the term serve frequently with each one.

[2:34:53] The service equate to success or just serves means the number of people who walk through the door.

[2:35:00] How do we measure?

[2:35:04] We capture both. So we captured the number of unique individuals served. So that means if each one of you walk through the door, we have provided services to seven individuals. The surface is repeat that.

[2:35:17] Repeat that please. So we captured the number of unique individuals served. So everyone is counted one time.

[2:35:26] So if all seven of you walk through the door, that means we provide it seven unique services to each one of you.

[2:35:36] So that's seven points.

[2:35:37] So seven of us walk through the door and we're seven served.

[2:35:41] But how do we determine, how do you determine, how is it determined,

[2:35:45] whether or not the services that they, the seven of us,

[2:35:49] receives is successful or not?

[2:35:51] Absolutely. So we look at the return visits. So based on the 7 of you, if four of you return

[2:35:59] for visits, we capture that number. So that is your ability to retain the individuals that

[2:36:05] you render your initial service to. If out of the four of you, all four of you come back for

[2:36:12] three or more services, that means you are truly engaged in the services that are being rendered to

[2:36:17] at each respective site.

[2:36:20] So we capture four different sets of data that will give us a holistic picture on, yes, we're

[2:36:27] seeing individuals, are they returning for our services, and if they're returning for our

[2:36:31] services, are we able to keep them engaged in services?

[2:36:35] And then we also have clinical assessments where we're able to determine, I'm sorry, where

[2:36:42] were at the point that you entered our door and then we'll do another assessment in 90 days

[2:36:48] to see if there's a decrease in that number and look at you again in six months and then look

[2:36:53] at you again in a year. Do you know off-hand how many individuals were served for this 15 million?

[2:37:05] I didn't add them up as you were talking to each other. No, you're fine. So the total number

[2:37:10] of individuals served across all programs at this particular point, which is October 31st of

[2:37:18] 2025, I believe, and I didn't write that number. But I think it's over 7,000 individuals

[2:37:25] across all programs have been served for the $15 million.

[2:37:30] Okay, and then if I heard you correctly of the firms that are listed here, the only one

[2:37:36] that would be, and I mean, this is my term,

[2:37:39] and on probation would be joined to hope.

[2:37:42] Yes, okay.

[2:37:43] All right, Commissioner Arlington, Vice Chair Ellis,

[2:37:45] Commissioner Ivory, Commissioner Barrett.

[2:37:49] Thank you for your comprehensive and thorough response

[2:37:52] about the services being provided.

[2:37:55] I guess I do have just a couple of follow-up questions

[2:37:58] because I thought originally Chris A.D.

[2:38:00] was a service in the Southful of some service in there.

[2:38:03] So Wendy, great to take that over.

[2:38:05] because I remember there were not a lot of people being serviced at the South

[2:38:11] Fulton Service Center originally. So Wendy Grady took that over and it

[2:38:16] sounds like there is there are now a lot of people being served at all of the

[2:38:22] service centers. Yes. So originally when we initially launched the

[2:38:30] contracted services in 2018 and we went through the renovation for the

[2:38:35] Fulton Service Center, the very first contractor that rendered services out of that location was

[2:38:42] River Edge on our behalf because it was always an adult outpatient clinic, and Chris 180 is one

[2:38:49] of our child and adolescent provider. So the furthest south, Chris 180 was originally they were

[2:38:56] our Oak Hill campus.

[2:39:00] In 2023, when we released the new RFP in 2022 and 2023,

[2:39:06] Grady was awarded the contract to render services at the South Folts and Services.

[2:39:11] Okay. Thank you. You're welcome.

[2:39:16] Thank you, Commissioner. So I'm next to the Q and Commissioner Aberrant Commissioner Barrett.

[2:39:23] I just want to say, you know, just to reflect back on this, what a transformation this has been.

[2:39:28] And for those of you who don't kind of fully kind of pay attention to the history that some of the folks who are here in the audience and so forth

[2:39:36] You go back to probably 2016, right we had behavioral health and public health operating under the same

[2:39:44] Same umbrella we were attempting to do all of these behavioral services in-house

[2:39:50] We had vacancy rates in behavioral health that were about 60%

[2:39:56] right and

[2:39:57] and with providers like Sikot.

[2:40:01] We were farming that out to local attendance person personnel. We were servicing an extremely low number of folks relative to kind of the population that we knew that was out there.

[2:40:15] And there's been a tremendous, we're not perfect and we've got ways to go and I think all of us acknowledged that.

[2:40:21] but this has been a tremendous transformation

[2:40:23] over that period of time.

[2:40:25] I think if you do the numbers right,

[2:40:26] I think our number of folks in service,

[2:40:28] we're up at least seven falls since that point in time.

[2:40:33] And I think important too, this concept,

[2:40:36] even when we started with this,

[2:40:39] we, a few contract providers, right?

[2:40:42] And it was still, you know, we're getting there,

[2:40:46] but we were not operating with intentionality

[2:40:48] and that's sort of a true network.

[2:40:49] And that's a focus that you've really brought in here in the past couple of years.

[2:40:56] And you know, I hear it from the providers who are contracted with, that's, they say that.

[2:41:01] We're part of the Fulton County Behavioral Health Network.

[2:41:08] And we're, and they're collaborating with each other, right, and talking to each other.

[2:41:13] They're not competing with each other or fragmenting out,

[2:41:17] even though some of them do their own thing outside of that the work that they just do for us.

[2:41:23] So this has been a great success story. Obviously we've got much more work to do.

[2:41:30] Mental health is like physical health and it's not as something that's solved for

[2:41:35] which somebody goes and make a couple of visits if that works out for that person.

[2:41:41] That's great, but the chances are that's most likely not the case.

[2:41:46] that, you know, mental health and many people who have more severe mental health conditions,

[2:41:53] they're needing to get served throughout the course of their life, just like we are with

[2:41:56] primary care and other forms of physical health care.

[2:42:01] And we've now got a network in place that catches that from, you know, preventative, right?

[2:42:09] And some of the stuff that we're looking at with the great emphasis we've had on the youth

[2:42:14] and children's programs to ongoing care for adults,

[2:42:20] and when people were hitting themselves

[2:42:21] in times of crisis.

[2:42:24] So it's here.

[2:42:25] We're in this moment.

[2:42:26] So let's talk about and let's celebrate.

[2:42:28] A lot of that success and great work that's been done.

[2:42:32] And thank you for all of your leadership in this.

[2:42:34] Thank you Commissioner Ellis.

[2:42:35] I did forget to mention school basement to health.

[2:42:38] So we do have two contractors that deliver

[2:42:40] school basement to health services for us as well

[2:42:42] as a part of this $15 million ass where we're present in 66 schools.

[2:42:48] We have Summit who provides coverage at 28 schools and in 2025 they picked up the K-5

[2:42:53] lead program and so that's an additional program that we're providing service and support to

[2:42:59] as well as Chris 180 provides school basements of health for us as well in 38 folks in County

[2:43:04] schools. Sorry I forgot that part. Mr. Aber. Thank you, Vice Chair. I just wanted to say

[2:43:13] as the newest commissioner when I first came in and Oak Hill being in my district I wanted

[2:43:19] to learn all about it and went there several times to learn more and make sure I could explain

[2:43:28] what was being offered there. And at the same time learning how we are accountable to the

[2:43:35] people who are providing services for us or how they are accountable to us and knowing that that

[2:43:40] a procurement process that we are not involved in.

[2:43:44] I wondered where that accountability was and how do we measure many of the questions that the

[2:43:48] chairman asked about how do we measure and how do we know and so I just wanted to take

[2:43:53] this moment to say thank you for teaching me.

[2:43:56] You've been always available to meet with me and answer those questions for me and especially

[2:44:03] in an area where I have a great grave concern because I know how much people need these services.

[2:44:08] So I just want to thank you for when I thought that there was a problem and I just said

[2:44:13] I'm just telling you I think there's a problem and I'm stepping away please look into it

[2:44:17] You did and you're doing something about it and I hardly ever see that complete follow-through

[2:44:24] And so I just wanted to recognize that a conversation we had nine months ago is coming and being taken care of now

[2:44:30] Which is exactly the kind of action that we need in the services that we provide and especially at a place that's so important

[2:44:36] like, okay, and I know everybody that sits on this commission has these services and their districts and

[2:44:43] deem it to be as equally as important as this crisis, center as in my district. So I just wanted to say thank you for that.

[2:44:50] I noticed it and you've always really helped to educate me on how this process works and also that I was at a Chris 180 event and people had great things.

[2:45:00] I want to say about the way that you partner, and that you make the way you make yourself available. So I just really wanted to say thank you. This is money that when I start seeing these large figures, I get very nervous on these agendas and my team and I, we get together and we start breaking it all apart like what is this money? What is it doing? This is one of these multi-million dollar amounts that I feel 100% great about approving, because I know that this money is being spent for the people, with the people, and in the hands of the right person who is making sure we have money.

[2:45:30] the White Contractors.

[2:45:31] So thank you very much.

[2:45:32] Thank you.

[2:45:33] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[2:45:36] I'll add my thanks.

[2:45:37] I think we all agree that you do a fantastic job, Mr. Foster.

[2:45:42] Obviously, I wasn't here in 2016 when some of this got started, but from the minute I got

[2:45:48] here, I've been very impressed with our behavioral health services.

[2:45:51] I just had a couple of political questions in terms of the way this has presented.

[2:45:57] But I very much understand from a public perception that having a provider network is the way

[2:46:05] to go, and it sounds like it's been very effective.

[2:46:08] But I'm just wondering why these are sort of presented for approval as one big lump as

[2:46:13] opposed to individual contracts.

[2:46:16] Great question.

[2:46:17] So when we release the RFP, we release the RFP as the behavior health network, and so

[2:46:22] on the contracts I renewed is renewed under that RFP number,

[2:46:27] and with that RFP number,

[2:46:30] and that contract number,

[2:46:30] all of these contracts fall under that one RFP.

[2:46:34] Felicit at I explained it, correct?

[2:46:36] You did an excellent job.

[2:46:38] Thank you.

[2:46:38] Yeah, I appreciate that, okay.

[2:46:40] Thank you.

[2:46:40] It does get a little hard to parse, who's doing what?

[2:46:44] And maybe that could be better explained

[2:46:46] on some of the sheets that are with it or something

[2:46:48] because it does get hard to parse.

[2:46:50] And you did a great job of breaking it down and explaining,

[2:46:52] But there's a lot in there as you've been said, you know, you sort of forgot to mention the school's program and what have you so I think there's the downside of it this way from the board, not the board perspective, but from the from the discussion here is that we are doing some really incredible things and we sort of rush over them because they're all sort of lump together.

[2:47:12] That said, I did have two other questions on the permanent support of housing, it sounded like we're doing that in a couple of different ways, but it reads like we're actually providing the support of housing, but that's not it, right?

[2:47:26] We're providing wrap-around services at the support of housing units, correct?

[2:47:30] So the language might need to be, because it literally reads to provide permanent support of housing, so that may be confusing to the public.

[2:47:36] I think we should probably get that adjusted for future times

[2:47:42] that it comes before us.

[2:47:43] And then I just wondered if you could share some history

[2:47:47] about the school-based program, when did that start?

[2:47:51] How much have we done there?

[2:47:52] And are we doing that in partnership with Fulton County Schools?

[2:47:55] Or is that something I'm just wondering

[2:47:57] about the rest of the funding for it?

[2:47:59] Sure.

[2:48:00] So we actually launched this program and response to COVID

[2:48:04] to ensure that the students had access to behavior health services as they transition back into the school.

[2:48:13] So, if I give you a little historical perspective,

[2:48:19] we originally, we were originally receiving funding from the Georgia Department of Behavior

[2:48:23] help in development of disabilities for what they call the Apex Project.

[2:48:28] With the Apex Project agencies receive funding to place therapists within schools that

[2:48:34] had to be a Title I school.

[2:48:38] When we outsource, we lost that contractual funding for the Apex Project and at that time,

[2:48:45] we may have been in eight schools, it was not a lot of schools.

[2:48:49] So what Fulton County did in response to COVID and hearing from our various partners throughout

[2:48:56] the community that the need was there to expand school basements of health, not just

[2:49:02] focused on the apex project initiative, but making sure that all students had access

[2:49:09] to care.

[2:49:09] And so we pushed the needle to ensure that we were able to place

[2:49:17] therapists within schools in Fulting County that were not eligible

[2:49:23] for apex project funding.

[2:49:26] And so with that said, we did a heavy focus in North Fulting.

[2:49:31] We did a focus in kind of outside of it.

[2:49:38] schools. So we're in the West Lake cluster in South

[2:49:41] Fulton and then we have schools in North Fulton to include

[2:49:45] Jones Creek, Roswell, Sandy Springs. So we're kind of

[2:49:48] spread throughout the county, excluding the city of

[2:49:51] Atlanta.

[2:49:55] Okay, so and is it a partnership with the

[2:49:58] Fulton County Schools or

[2:50:00] With the school board. It's a partnership, but not a funding collaboration.

[2:50:05] Okay, so the funding is just office. It's from us, yes. Okay, thank you.

[2:50:09] You're welcome. All right, Commissioner, I'll do rock line.

[2:50:11] Thank you, Chairman. I, I'll be quick.

[2:50:15] Thank you for the work that you've done. I've seen the tremendous and we're not perfect.

[2:50:22] We don't say that we are, but I have individuals that call my office.

[2:50:29] You know seeking help and I direct them to the appropriate agency. Just for the listening public

[2:50:36] If you were not in the schools, we know the schools have taken quite a hit in federal funding

[2:50:45] When it comes to behavior health and resources

[2:50:49] What is the alternative

[2:50:51] for some

[2:50:53] Of our fault in county residents if you were not in place or if you didn't

[2:50:59] not have the paradigm that you have,

[2:51:01] of trying to make sure that no one falls through the crack.

[2:51:05] If we did not have that,

[2:51:08] do they have any other resource?

[2:51:10] So I can make assumptions.

[2:51:13] I'm sure students would have attempted to connect

[2:51:15] with the school social worker,

[2:51:17] which I don't know if the capacity is there

[2:51:20] to invest a time into clinical interventions.

[2:51:24] We do more than just meeting with students.

[2:51:27] We engage the parents.

[2:51:28] we educate the parents on things to be aware of.

[2:51:31] We've incorporated a text for help program in the school.

[2:51:34] So it's not just a therapist's presence with the students,

[2:51:38] but also engaging the parents, also engaging the school personnel

[2:51:42] to ensure that they're aware of mental health.

[2:51:44] If you notice something, say something, refer, connect.

[2:51:48] So my assumption would be that they would attempt to filter

[2:51:53] all of this through our school social worker school counselors,

[2:51:57] which may not be impactful, or they may have to seek services outside of school hours, or seek services during school hours, and now your impact in their academic performance.

[2:52:10] And one thing that I want to listen in public to know, this does sound like a lot of money, but it's not enough.

[2:52:18] Just like when I talk about my advocacy prepared, all of this interrelate into trying to keep people from being homeless,

[2:52:26] trying to keep people from being in the criminal justice system.

[2:52:32] We have individuals that are acting out, that may not be diagnosed,

[2:52:36] that may not have the resources, that may struggle with housing,

[2:52:39] that may struggle with social, economic things that are going on.

[2:52:45] And so when we talk about behavior, health, here, and the amount of money that we're getting,

[2:52:51] We don't give enough, because government can't do everything.

[2:52:56] But I want people to know that Fulton County is one of the pre-mear, because when I look

[2:53:04] at other counties and what they're doing, they're doing the best that they can with the

[2:53:09] amount of dollars they have.

[2:53:10] But we are light years ahead, are there some things that we need to work on, of course,

[2:53:17] But the way that we have came from what we were in 2016 versus where we are now is like

[2:53:27] difference in night and day.

[2:53:28] And so I thank you.

[2:53:30] I thank that we as a board understand the need for behavior, health to be taken seriously.

[2:53:38] And now we have a lot of focus on not only adolescents, we have focus on our seniors.

[2:53:46] And so, here again, wanting to make sure that we understand the conversation of this looks

[2:53:54] like a lot of money, but it's still not enough because we are moving ahead, but behavior,

[2:54:03] mental health, the social economic factors, and all those things that are a derivative of

[2:54:11] even in being in the criminal justice corridors, and being homeless, all a tied in with the

[2:54:22] similar theory.

[2:54:23] So, kudos to you and kudos to us understanding that this is a lot of money, but it's not

[2:54:30] enough, it's a need for more federally.

[2:54:35] we've seen a slash, especially with our youth and the health, the money that was available

[2:54:45] to them for mental health services. So I just want to kind of give a different voice so

[2:54:53] to speak because we can't do it all as government, but it is out duty as the government

[2:55:01] So here again, I just wanted to thank you for not only the transformative work that you've done, but also the visionary work that I've seen you do and continue to do. So thank you.

[2:55:15] Thank you, Mr. Thorin.

[2:55:18] Thank you, Mr. Foster. I was just wondering if you could elaborate on a few things, what we do in the jail with mental health, the programs that we support.

[2:55:27] question, thank you. So with this funding, we also have a screening and

[2:55:34] rate entry unit which was in response to the recommendations from the

[2:55:40] Justice and Mental Health Task Force and what this looks like is that every

[2:55:45] eligible booking in the jail individuals are screened with the correctional

[2:55:52] mental health screening and through the screening and the reentry unit, anyone that's

[2:55:58] identified to have perhaps a mental health need based on the fact that they've scored

[2:56:04] five or more on the correction on mental health screening, our team meets with the

[2:56:11] individual to complete a gains assessment and that's just determining what are the barriers

[2:56:15] in your life that perhaps contribute to your incarceration or contribute to unmet needs.

[2:56:25] And from there, every morning, the Comability Courts re-entry teams receive an email from

[2:56:32] our screen in the re-entry unit individual that sends out all the names of the individuals

[2:56:38] that are currently in the jail that score five or more on the correctional mental health screening.

[2:56:44] that is also a part of this $15 million asked.

[2:56:48] In addition to that, we provide re-entry services.

[2:56:52] This service is contracted with Grady,

[2:56:54] who subcontracts with women on the rise.

[2:56:57] This service provides re-entry services

[2:57:00] who women who were incarcerated.

[2:57:03] They begin working with them while they're in the jail

[2:57:05] and help them transition back into the community

[2:57:08] with the necessary support to be successful.

[2:57:12] Thank you for the question.

[2:57:15] Can Mr. Barrett?

[2:57:18] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[2:57:20] I just had, you've already shared a ton of information.

[2:57:25] I should have had a PowerPoint also.

[2:57:26] Well, it's sort of what I was going to ask.

[2:57:28] I think we don't normally get regular updates from you.

[2:57:32] And I think it might be worthwhile to include that in,

[2:57:35] I don't know, how regularly makes sense if it's quarterly.

[2:57:40] So, so that we can hear some of these stories and see some of these numbers

[2:57:43] and showcase some of the great work that's happening in all these arenas. So we can get that on the list that would be great.

[2:57:48] Well, the economy manager did request a power point and I missed a deadline. So I will take ownership for that.

[2:57:55] He's a visionary. So he news, I have a power point today and I did not have it.

[2:57:59] And you almost got all the way through without getting called out. So there you go.

[2:58:03] All right, Chris Avery, too.

[2:58:08] I wonder, we got a lot of our Pat people still here.

[2:58:13] I wonder how much coordination do we work or do we have with Pat and or our diversion

[2:58:20] center to the extent that you have a center that has low numbers and they may have people

[2:58:27] that might need some of these resources that are available.

[2:58:30] So I just wonder how much coordination do we have with pad and or our diversion ceremony?

[2:58:37] So as a reminder, the Department of Behavior Health and Development of Disabilities

[2:58:42] is the department that oversees pads contract.

[2:58:45] And so we work hand in hand with pad on a weekly monthly basis ensuring that we're coordinating

[2:58:53] services and ensuring that they have access to the behavior health and that work outpatient

[2:58:58] clinics as well.

[2:58:59] And we work hand in hand with Grady, a little overseas at the Diversity Center.

[2:59:05] Thank you.

[2:59:06] You're welcome.

[2:59:07] Okay, any other questions?

[2:59:09] So if my math is correct, that's about $2,100 per person it walks to the door.

[2:59:14] It sounds like a good deal to me.

[2:59:16] So thank you.

[2:59:17] Thanks.

[2:59:17] Next slide.

[2:59:20] I'm sorry.

[2:59:22] Let's vote.

[2:59:23] In the vote it's open.

[2:59:31] In the motion passes unanimously.

[2:59:33] 25 0 9 2 7 share request approval to renew an existing contract for in-mate medical services

[2:59:39] a total not to exceed amount of 45 million 121,149 dollars in 72 cents.

[2:59:49] So who's going to speak to this?

[2:59:51] Just manage your home.

[2:59:56] It's a strong Whitaker.

[2:59:57] It's a lie.

[3:00:03] Mr. Chairman, what's before you is the 8th renewal for the NAF care inmate medical services contract.

[3:00:13] It does include the amount that the board increased the contract by during 2025.

[3:00:22] The total amount for services will be 38 million, 521, 149 with medical pass-through costs estimated medical pass-through costs.

[3:00:33] of 6,600,000, for the total amount of 4,000 and 1,1149.

[3:00:42] So this is the last renewal.

[3:00:45] There will be one more renewal under the contract.

[3:00:48] In 2006, could I have heard that you are going to re-bid it next year,

[3:00:52] except accurate or not accurate?

[3:00:54] Actually, Mr. Chairman, in order to start a new contract,

[3:00:59] But this is a very detailed, complex project and it will take some time.

[3:01:04] I understand that.

[3:01:04] I'm just simply asking, are we going to re-bid it in 26?

[3:01:08] We were re-bidded in 27.

[3:01:11] We need to start working on developing the RFP in 26.

[3:01:16] But we would actually release the RFP in 27 for 28.

[3:01:21] To can January 1 of 2028.

[3:01:23] Okay, and would you explain the need for a consultant that I heard to help with the RFP?

[3:01:31] I don't understand why we would need a consulting.

[3:01:34] Maybe not a consultant commissioner, but we do need some assistance with,

[3:01:40] I know there are some things in the consent degree around healthcare, medical healthcare.

[3:01:47] And our RFP has not really been updated or revised since I started in the county.

[3:01:53] in 2004. And so we know that the contract needs to be updated. Our requirements need to be updated.

[3:02:01] It has been reviewed, but it has not significantly changed. And we are not sure if the RFP meets

[3:02:09] the terms of the consent decree in some of those requirements. Those have changed. So I think a review

[3:02:17] is necessary to make sure that a contract that is going to exceed 45 million dollars a year

[3:02:24] is up to date and can take us through the next 10 years.

[3:02:29] Okay, any idea what the cost of the review can solve to where you want to call that firm

[3:02:33] and the vision will be?

[3:02:35] Well, I'm not sure if we need to consult with that or if we need to go back to the monitor

[3:02:41] that is working with the county, I'm not sure which way we need to go with that.

[3:02:47] that's something I think we need to explore with senior management.

[3:02:52] Okay, can we start off do rock line?

[3:02:54] Thank you for bringing up that up chairman.

[3:02:58] County manager, that's a concern and my concern is that we do need a consultant.

[3:03:05] Because not only do we need to upgrade, we have a consent decree in place

[3:03:10] and we've already known that dealing with the jail, dealing with NAF care,

[3:03:16] that is an issue that is going to be under a spotlight.

[3:03:21] And so I think it would be who was us to make sure that we have a subject matter expert,

[3:03:28] especially in that area to make sure that the vision that we have 14 years out.

[3:03:35] And when we're trying to rebuild it, that we cover areas of concern that 10 years ago,

[3:03:42] we may not necessarily have had.

[3:03:44] And so I would support that county manager and I would look forward to making sure that we look at that what is the pound of measures first of.

[3:03:56] I mean, a beautiful measure pound of cure. I have what they say it. I think we need to be on the right side.

[3:04:02] I know anytime we're talking about dollars, we must be fiscally responsible.

[3:04:07] But to me part of me and physically responsible is understanding that we created a situation

[3:04:16] and when I mean we, I mean at that particular time we built a jail that when the doors open

[3:04:22] it was already overcrowded.

[3:04:25] And so we have an opportunity now dealing with the medical needs and the mental needs to use the expertise

[3:04:35] of a consultant for a visionary idea of how the contract needs to be and once it's

[3:04:43] rebidded it will have an outlook of what it will look like 10 years down the road.

[3:04:49] So I would support that.

[3:04:51] Vice here, Alex.

[3:04:54] Do we have reporting mechanisms built in this contract where

[3:05:00] The vendors providing data back to us in terms of what they've done.

[3:05:08] There is some performance metrics in the contract that we amended over various times. There is some reporting.

[3:05:20] Is it with what sort of pace is it reported at the end of a year or throughout a year?

[3:05:29] And maybe I don't know that.

[3:05:30] I just, certainly I think as we're going into looking at a new structure, I think,

[3:05:37] having a greater insight into this.

[3:05:39] I mean, we've had very much fits and starts with this.

[3:05:43] And there was a period of time where our management team was meeting directly with

[3:05:47] Sheriff's Department and the provider,

[3:05:50] You know, talking about the different issues that play in some like there were a lot of improvements.

[3:05:57] That got shut down, away from that.

[3:06:00] I got to get into the history that, whatever, but this seems like sort of reporting mechanisms

[3:06:04] and all around that are very important given the, you know, given the size of this contract

[3:06:10] and given the number of people that it impacts.

[3:06:13] I mean, we just went through a discussion around very detailed sort of report back

[3:06:18] different contract providers we have in the behavioral health area. We have very

[3:06:22] little insight into this one.

[3:06:29] All right, the motion on the floor is to approve.

[3:06:31] Let's vote. And the vote is open.

[3:06:39] And motion passes unanimously.

[3:06:42] Bottom of page 825 0 928 finance discussion fiscal year 2026 proposed operating budget.

[3:06:50] Mr.

[3:06:52] Manager?

[3:06:54] Yes, I'm going to defer to the CFO, but just sort of face to say we've tried to simplify the presentation from the last meeting, making it as clear as possible what is being assumed.

[3:07:07] It also, we've laid out, there are some next steps and they're very significant next steps between now and the two meetings in January.

[3:07:16] who want to cover those in the next two to three charts, and I'll defer to CFO with more.

[3:07:24] Thank you, Mr. Manor, if we could go to the next slide, please.

[3:07:28] Commissioners, because this is on the agenda day, as a discussion item, the document that

[3:07:35] is before you was really just a recap of the 26 proposed budget. Next slide, please.

[3:07:43] As a reminder, the 26-general Fund proposed budget is based upon a carry forward fund balance

[3:07:52] of 232.7 million total revenue of 996 million an expenditure budget of 153 million and a projected

[3:08:06] ending fund balance of 175.6 which does comply with the county's fund balance reserve

[3:08:14] resolution. I'm on the of note on the revenue side. There is an additional 32 million

[3:08:24] of property tax which corresponds with the 32 million in incremental spend associated with the

[3:08:33] cent degree. Next slide, please.

[3:08:38] We also wanted to review the assumptions for property tax one more time,

[3:08:46] perhaps a little more clearly. We have built the property tax anticipation on the assumption

[3:08:54] that we will experience growth in the digest at the same rate as we experience for the 2020-25

[3:09:03] digest, which is 3.1% and that our collection rate would be 95.2% which is the collection

[3:09:12] rate that we've averaged for the last three years. And then lastly that the estimated

[3:09:20] milled rate would be sufficient to generate the appropriated property tax revenue based on

[3:09:27] assumptions that military would currently be 9.26 mills. Next slide, please.

[3:09:37] From a next

[3:09:38] steps perspective today, as well as the next meeting, we expect that there will be

[3:09:45] additional consent order compliance recommendations presented to the board. On the meeting

[3:09:53] January 7, which is the first meeting in January, we will update and revise.

[3:10:00] The proposed budget to include the actual 2020-25 results, revenue expenditure results, actual fund balance

[3:10:09] carry forward, and then any adjustments that we may need to make to our revenue expectations in

[3:10:17] 2020-26. I'm from a timing perspective. We may have collected more in 2025 than we originally projected,

[3:10:25] so we may have to reduce then what we are projecting in 26 for prior year property taxes,

[3:10:31] things like that. So we'll bring that forward. We would also include in that document any

[3:10:38] additional consent expenditure recommendations that may come from the board through the end of

[3:10:44] this month. And then any other operational amendments, operational expenditure amendments as

[3:10:51] be necessary. And then outline what the underlying military

[3:10:57] assumption would be based on those updates. With that, with the revision

[3:11:02] coming forward, then in January, at the first meeting in January, the board

[3:11:08] would be able to adopt the budget and its final form in either of those two

[3:11:14] meetings in January, because we did hold the legally required public hearing

[3:11:18] earlier today. So that was the information that we just wanted to share in an attempt to help clarify what the proposed budget contemplated from a revenue perspective and a military perspective.

[3:11:37] And then Mr. Chairman, it's really a discussion after that. So there's there's a few updates that we had today.

[3:11:45] Thank you, Madam CFO, Commissioner Arrington, Commissioner Barrett, Commissioner Ivory.

[3:11:51] Thank you, Madam CFO, and County Manager and team for pulling this together.

[3:11:58] I think this is,

[3:12:02] unfortunately, a lot more realistic because there is no such thing as an overlay,

[3:12:09] I did think that we were also, I thought that there was mention that there would be 30 to 60 million

[3:12:17] for the consent decree.

[3:12:21] And so to the extent that this only, I think I heard you, madam, see if I would say that this

[3:12:25] only anticipates 30 million.

[3:12:30] And there could be potentially 60 million.

[3:12:32] And I guess that's what you mean when you say we may come back and may have to add another 30 million.

[3:12:38] I wonder if you have

[3:12:43] thought about adding that additional 30 million or the full 60 million

[3:12:48] and what the military assumption would be with another 30 million added.

[3:13:01] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If we add in, I mean, sorry. Thank you, Commissioner Errington.

[3:13:06] If we add in another 30 million that would be about

[3:13:17] maybe three tenths, somewhere between three

[3:13:23] tenths and four tenths of a mill, so a little less than half a mill.

[3:13:31] And so then that would be maybe 9.5 or 9.6 mills at 0.3.

[3:13:36] Is that correct?

[3:13:38] 4.3 of 0.4.

[3:13:42] If we, if we needed the whole half a mill, then it would take us up to about 9.7.

[3:13:47] So I would say, you know, probably somewhere between 9.5 and 9.7.

[3:13:55] All right.

[3:13:55] Thank you.

[3:14:01] And that's all that I have from Mr. Barrett.

[3:14:05] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[3:14:10] I appreciate that you've changed the presentation to just simplify the military assumption.

[3:14:14] And I'm just wondering, does this live online somewhere?

[3:14:19] Is this presentation?

[3:14:22] Not yet, no, man.

[3:14:23] But it will.

[3:14:25] We can put it out in the budget section, where

[3:14:29] we have the proposed budget as well.

[3:14:31] We can put the presentation.

[3:14:32] Yeah, because I mean, my concern is that, while this has now

[3:14:36] now lays out clearly what the current proposed

[3:14:40] milliderate is without any additional consent

[3:14:44] The book does not say that at all.

[3:14:48] The book does not say 9.26 anywhere I don't think.

[3:14:52] And so, if people are looking up the budget

[3:14:53] and trying to understand the assumptions,

[3:14:55] they're still getting that same sort of confusing message

[3:14:58] that was in the original.

[3:15:01] Presentation last time. So I think anything we can do to make that clear to the public would be helpful.

[3:15:09] I want to just express some concern about separating out on this page, and it was in this way and the other, as well, that 32 million is in some other category in the revenue on the

[3:15:32] it is property tax. It should be the entire amount for property tax should be 815 plus 32, not two separate buckets.

[3:15:41] It doesn't come in as a separate bucket. It is not a separate bucket. It is property tax revenue.

[3:15:47] Trying to act like there is some consent decree revenue is just misleading.

[3:15:52] And I understand what your intention was and trying to show that where you were going to pay for the consent decree expenses.

[3:15:59] But I think presenting it this way again is very confusing for the reading public

[3:16:07] If you look at this at a quick glance, you think we reduced the amount of property tax that we're bringing in down to 815

[3:16:14] So it's just very confusing, and I don't think it's necessary

[3:16:17] And it doesn't actually change anything. It's just a picture of it's trying to present something in a way that is

[3:16:24] cloudy and I would also say the same is true on the expense side putting the consent decree 32 million

[3:16:30] in its own bucket, feels misleading to me,

[3:16:34] because we're not spending money on a consent decree.

[3:16:37] We are under-consent decree.

[3:16:39] And we are under-consent decree, a legal mechanism,

[3:16:43] because we have failed to put enough money towards staffing

[3:16:48] at the jail, and a variety of other things,

[3:16:50] maintenance of the jail and all of those things.

[3:16:52] So the 32 million, or maybe 60 million, in my opinion,

[3:16:56] that we're going to spend, should be in the departments,

[3:17:00] where it will be spent, and in some of those cases, it will be recurring expenses.

[3:17:05] So to put it in a separate bucket, like it's a $32 million one time thing that's going

[3:17:09] to be a checkwritten to something called consent decree is misleading.

[3:17:13] These are either sheriff's operational items or their counties' maintenance items.

[3:17:18] They're not separate.

[3:17:19] And this is the same argument I've had year after year about this inmate services line item

[3:17:24] on the budget.

[3:17:25] I saw the same concern.

[3:17:27] If inmate services are to be performed, those are operational expenses of the sheriff's, they

[3:17:33] should be in his budget.

[3:17:35] So I'm just going to continue to express those concerns every time, and I'll continue to

[3:17:39] be ignored, I'm sure.

[3:17:41] But this is not clear to the public what these things are, and I think it's very, very misleading.

[3:17:46] And we should have transparency as a focus here.

[3:17:49] And this is not transparent.

[3:17:53] And to that end,

[3:17:57] I asked this every year too, but we have, you know, a massive amount of money sitting in non-agency.

[3:18:05] And I believe 80 million of it is non-agency other, which is, again, you know, just a mystery to anybody in the public who's looking at the budget.

[3:18:16] And so I think we need a full accounting of what is in non-agency and what in particular is

[3:18:21] in non-agency other.

[3:18:23] If we're looking at cutting every dollar and every penny everywhere we can, you know,

[3:18:27] how can we be asked to vote on a budget where $80 million worth is just a mystery?

[3:18:34] I mean, this is like the thing we are elected to do.

[3:18:37] So once again, this feels very cloudy.

[3:18:42] So, you know, I'd like to see more information on that if possible,

[3:18:52] you know, there's, I wasn't here last time, so I didn't, you know, wasn't able to sort of, I know a lot of work goes into this, I really do appreciate it.

[3:19:01] But

[3:19:04] I do think there's a lot of questions about how we're moving forward here, and I understand the goal that we're going to have to raise the military pretty significantly to pay for these items that we're going to need to,

[3:19:16] to do in order to be in compliance with the consent to create.

[3:19:25] But we just approved a contract for, I don't know,

[3:19:29] what was a $2 million altogether for AV equipment.

[3:19:33] And we approved a contract for 500,000 for PR and communications.

[3:19:41] And then we're telling all the departments,

[3:19:43] they have to cut 1%.

[3:19:45] So I'm questioning that a little bit to you.

[3:19:47] understand that this is a trade-off between the salary savings and the attrition calculations

[3:19:53] versus doing the one percent. So I understand trying a different method to do this.

[3:19:57] But I do have concerns and maybe you can speak to this.

[3:20:00] However, there are some departments, and I saw this when I sat through the budget hearings, where

[3:20:06] they are using almost all of their budget. There are some that are not. There are some that have

[3:20:10] enough open positions that 1% is actually a better deal for them than the salary attrition

[3:20:16] savings that was being used before. But for some, they are using almost all of their budgets.

[3:20:21] They're fully staffed, and they're pretty close. So what happens to those departments? My concern

[3:20:27] and I'll let you answer that. But my concern is that we're not really using a scalpel here

[3:20:32] in figuring out where to cut. And we're sort of asking everybody to tighten their belt,

[3:20:36] which is a very different ask for a six-person department that's fully using its budget than it

[3:20:40] is for a several hundred-person department that has lots of vacancies. So I don't know if you want to

[3:20:46] speak to that. Madam CFO or Mr. Manager.

[3:20:51] Thank you Commissioner Barrett.

[3:20:55] Yes, it was a trade-off, if you will, from following what we have done with attrition

[3:21:06] because there seemed to be a lot of concern raised over how to implement attrition.

[3:21:14] So, because we know that we don't spend 100% of what is placed in the budget, we went ahead and took a haircut, one percent of that.

[3:21:30] And to your question about what will a small department have to do, we've asked them to work with their budget analyst to identify where

[3:21:43] they will be able to absorb those reductions.

[3:21:50] So we are looking at that with, you know, with each of the agencies,

[3:21:55] and they each will have the opportunity to develop their plan.

[3:21:58] In some cases, they may end up taking it as attrition

[3:22:01] and just deferring a position for some period of time during the year.

[3:22:07] If they have a vacancy.

[3:22:10] And if they don't have a vacancy?

[3:22:13] Then we will have to look at other places within their operating budget, where they may find the resources to cover their 1%.

[3:22:25] Okay, so I guess what I'm getting at is, and I don't remember which departments were fully staffed like that.

[3:22:30] It strikes me that it might have been diversity in compliance.

[3:22:34] Compliance they might have been pretty close to full staff.

[3:22:37] There were a few of the smaller departments in particular, I think that we heard from.

[3:22:40] But again, you know, I have a concern about, you know, a haircut as you described it versus, you know, a scalpel and making decisions about budget cuts because, you know, I don't want to pick on a particular department, but if there's a smaller department with a smaller budget, and they're having to cut, then they are decreasing service,

[3:23:03] but we're spending, you know, $450,000 on PR when we're saying we don't have money to spend.

[3:23:11] or I think you still have the $10 million in there,

[3:23:15] Madam CFO, under non-agency other for the bond debt

[3:23:19] that we're probably not going to even have to issue those bonds

[3:23:21] this coming year.

[3:23:22] So why are we not being a little bit more precise in these cuts?

[3:23:28] And cutting the things that are the least needed

[3:23:30] versus just asking everybody to cut one percent?

[3:23:44] We looked at the budget overall.

[3:23:48] The last session I used the term massage and said I wouldn't use it again, but it is a process.

[3:24:01] We had already built into the planning process attrition and after some heated discussion amongst ourselves.

[3:24:12] We came to the conclusion that a tradition, although it sounds simple, seems to be difficult for many agencies to execute.

[3:24:25] So, a 1% haircut did not seem insurmountable.

[3:24:33] We could go in with a scalpel and make specific reductions.

[3:24:42] It would not be to the debt service number because we are at a point where we will be bringing back to the board in the very near future.

[3:24:54] some plans for moving forward with the...

[3:25:00] Design work that needs to be done for the special purpose building, as well as a accelerated plan to address the housing need that we will have when the current agreement that we have with the city of Atlanta for the use of the detention center expires.

[3:25:23] So, there is a need now for that and we will be bringing something forward to the board very soon.

[3:25:30] So, we could go in with with the scalpel, but when we came to the board and we shared and made suggestions.

[3:25:40] And we talked about, you know, specific programmatic expenses.

[3:25:44] We did not get any specific direction back to reduce any one thing over the other.

[3:25:52] And again, we had some pretty heated discussion about what are the kinds of things that we would

[3:25:57] remove from the budget and we would certainly look first to those things that are not mandated,

[3:26:04] that are not required services programs or services. So those would be the ones that we would look to, you know,

[3:26:19] very popular services with constituents,

[3:26:29] so a shared reduction to us seemed a little better than

[3:26:36] going in and making those surgical cuts.

[3:26:41] But if you have a recommendation for something for us to consider completely taking

[3:26:48] out of the budget or eliminating which certainly be happy to take that under consideration?

[3:26:55] Well, I appreciate that, but we're really only given the department level in terms of

[3:27:03] how much budget each one has.

[3:27:05] And then this year we got on paper, but not digitally, what the departments presented at

[3:27:12] their budget hearings.

[3:27:14] So, asking us to come up with recommendations is sort of backwards, I feel like you all should be recommending to us where the best cuts would be.

[3:27:25] Where does it make sense to cut?

[3:27:27] I can't, you know, put my finger in there and say this program versus that.

[3:27:31] But you all have much more knowledge and more direct contact with the departments and all of those things to ask those kind of questions.

[3:27:38] And I hate to keep picking on Ms. Corbett in the $450,000, but, you know, because she does

[3:27:45] great work.

[3:27:46] But, you know, that's the kind of thing where, you know, it's not mandated and it's in

[3:27:50] the base budget and it's not a service that the constituents care about and, you know, again,

[3:27:57] I hate to just keep picking on that one chunk, but it happened to come before us today.

[3:28:01] So, you know, I think it's a little backwards to say that we should come up with suggestions.

[3:28:06] I mean, you don't even let the departments talk to us without your participation, so, I mean, how would I do that?

[3:28:15] When I asked some of the departments to share their budget documents with us, I was told they were not allowed to.

[3:28:21] So, you know, I think you guys have a pretty tight reign and there's not really an opportunity for us to have that level of knowledge to even bring that forward.

[3:28:31] So that's concerning, and I had one other question on the one percent, and that is I think there's a legal issue with the 1% cut, at least as it relates to the constitutional officers, is there not?

[3:28:48] Well, there's a, so my knowledge there's a court case, there was a court case, I don't know, a Madam County attorney maybe you know about this, but not that long ago, I think it was Chattam County, where

[3:28:58] the they did a 1% cut like that I think it was 1% I don't remember but and the sheriff's office

[3:29:06] I think in Chattam County or it might have been one of the other constitutional officers

[3:29:10] suit over it and one and they were told that they could not apply a 1% across the board

[3:29:15] cut to the constitutional officers so we should probably check that before we lock it in.

[3:29:21] Just that we all end up in court if that happens.

[3:29:25] Just worth looking into.

[3:29:28] That's all I have.

[3:29:30] Mr. Ivory.

[3:29:31] Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.

[3:29:35] I don't even know where to begin, but as a law professor, the thing I try to do for

[3:29:40] my law students is always teaching the most simplistic way, speak plain English so that they

[3:29:45] can walk away from my law classes, understanding what their role is as a new attorney

[3:29:52] and what we've just learned.

[3:29:53] And so I often just try not to convolut what I'm saying so that they can do that.

[3:29:59] And I feel like that...

[3:30:00] That's just what we've done here. And it's so hard for us as commissioners to understand this.

[3:30:06] With the limited information we get with the updates that are not really flushed out, never mind what the citizens are able to understand.

[3:30:16] And so I do concur with commissioner bear it about that. But we had a great meeting yesterday, almost two hours.

[3:30:23] that we sat and we talked about my full concern,

[3:30:27] which was at the top of the list,

[3:30:30] can you present to me a budget

[3:30:32] that looks to what the needs of the county are,

[3:30:38] the costs of the consent decree,

[3:30:40] the assumptions that have been assigned already,

[3:30:42] which is a 30 million, and the ones we know are coming,

[3:30:46] not that we think may be coming,

[3:30:48] that we know for sure are coming,

[3:30:50] which are 60 million or more and giving the enhancements that certain departments have been

[3:30:57] asking for for year after year after year after year and I asked for that.

[3:31:01] Can I see what a budget would look like and what that number would be if those things were

[3:31:06] included and I still don't have that.

[3:31:10] The idea that we are only going with one school of thought of how to approach this budget

[3:31:17] is that what can we do to keep the milliderate, the closest to what it is right now, it blows

[3:31:25] my mind? At the same time that we are claiming in not improving, not giving increased services,

[3:31:35] taking a 1% decrease, cutting in half the consent decree costs to preserve and be as conservative

[3:31:43] As a number, as to not shock the conscience of certain commissioners, is not what the public deserves.

[3:31:51] The public deserves a number that they can look at and compare to different scenarios.

[3:31:58] This is the scenario if we keep the military flat.

[3:32:01] This is the scenario if we include all the costs of the consent decree.

[3:32:06] This is the scenario if we gave all the enhancements that are being recommended.

[3:32:10] That's a smart way to approach a budget and I've asked for that, but I just can't seem to get it.

[3:32:19] There's a concept of trying to play down numbers all the time in finance.

[3:32:26] I know why.

[3:32:28] We shouldn't do it though, because the budget should not be political, but it is.

[3:32:34] In conversations we had before, we said that 30 million was about a 0.39 of a mill.

[3:32:44] When Commissioner Erranton just asked if we kept the 60 million in, what would that increase be?

[3:32:51] Your response was about 0.5, a little less than 0.5.

[3:32:56] And that's just mathematically incorrect.

[3:32:58] If 30 million is 0.39, then 60 million is 0.74.

[3:33:03] which you all included in your 10 year forecast plan document that you presented to us,

[3:33:12] which took the military to 10.1 in 2026.

[3:33:18] And I don't want to have to post that document.

[3:33:23] I don't want to, it's not anywhere.

[3:33:25] I have it, everybody else.

[3:33:27] In fact, I think Commissioner Harrington has posted it before.

[3:33:30] But it's like, let's just tell the scary truth.

[3:33:36] If the scary truth is that we have to raise more revenue to bring into this county in order

[3:33:43] to pay for the consent degree cost at what we know is at least $60 million could be more.

[3:33:51] Because we know we have to staff, we have a staffing plan coming up that's going to be expensive.

[3:33:57] So, it might even be more than 10.1.

[3:34:01] But it's like we're trying so hard to stay away from telling the truth about these numbers.

[3:34:09] We had a 10 year forecast plan that looked at 2026, 2027, 10 years down the line, and guess

[3:34:15] what full in county the number continues to go up.

[3:34:19] In 2026, it was 10.1 in 2027, it's higher, and it goes up, and it goes up until certain dollars

[3:34:27] come back into the county and we can begin to bring it down.

[3:34:32] And the truth is we should be telling you the truth about that.

[3:34:37] And so I'm going to do that.

[3:34:39] And I'm just going to keep doing it, and I feel, I feel just, it is not about where

[3:34:47] you stand in any of your political views about raising taxes or not, it's where we are in

[3:34:53] full and county right now.

[3:34:55] The crisis we are in, there are right now 45 people sleeping on the floor of the jail.

[3:35:00] Today, jail population 294, right street 1,960, 45 people sleeping on the floor in a facility that the federal

[3:35:10] government has said is unconstitutionally uninhabitable. But we're playing games with the numbers that we need to make it constitutional, tell the truth.

[3:35:21] A military increase is going to happen, and so we can say 9.2, 9.1, 10.1, but it's happening.

[3:35:32] It's coming, in January, we'll see different numbers.

[3:35:35] We're asking departments to do less with more so we can cram money in.

[3:35:39] It just is not an effective way to run a government.

[3:35:44] It is not an effective way to not tell the people the truth about what has been done with their

[3:35:50] And what we need to do with the dollars that are coming in and that we need more of them

[3:35:56] Because we've been flat for over a decade

[3:35:58] And I don't know how many people in their house can use the same money for the last 12 to 15 years to pay the expenses of today

[3:36:06] And fund a crisis

[3:36:09] That's not our only crisis

[3:36:11] We have other crises too

[3:36:12] We don't talk about those hospitals

[3:36:15] More funding for our court system

[3:36:17] I could go on and on.

[3:36:20] I would love to see a budget that funds all the things we need.

[3:36:27] Can I get that?

[3:36:30] Hello? Can I get that?

[3:36:34] In a not in a three-page document,

[3:36:37] but more in a go into the system,

[3:36:41] you guys are so smart.

[3:36:43] I know you're so smart, because you've taught me so much.

[3:36:45] going to the system and put the other numbers in because you can just take this number out and put

[3:36:50] take the 30 out and put the 60 in. Take the 1% away, the reduction away and let's see what those numbers

[3:36:57] look like. Just show me another budget. I want to share an alternate reality or an alternate option

[3:37:06] for my constituents. Can I please get that?

[3:37:13] Yes?

[3:37:16] Yes? I mean, it would be helpful to have a consensus

[3:37:20] of what, either, what detail, what kind of scenarios, as you raise, because, by the way, you know,

[3:37:27] winding the clock back, we've provided scenarios before, and I'm talking about in years

[3:37:31] past. And that didn't exactly go well. Then the direction then was bring us a spot, you

[3:37:39] know, proposal based on a discussion that we have in early, remember, so any of these things

[3:37:45] are possible.

[3:37:45] I get it and I understand that county manager and thank you and that those requests come from a form majority of the board

[3:37:53] Not everyone on the board and so what I'm asking outside of that for is can I for my whether it would pass or not?

[3:38:00] I'm not asking about whether it would pass. I just want to see what it would look like and so I can for sure

[3:38:05] Send you a need to email with that detail. I think I have before and I can add more and make that request

[3:38:11] But I would like to examine what that looks like and you began

[3:38:15] And you began to do that in the 10 year forecast where you were setting out the assumptions that you know, which you know 60 million is coming, or more, because we've talked about this, we talked about it yesterday, but we're still working on for the 30 million with I think, which I think is just disingenuous. So I'm going to stop because I know you know what I'm talking about, because we have conversed about it. I think you all know that you deserve a true, the truth about what we need to run this county and suffix the jail.

[3:38:43] And I'm going to stop there.

[3:38:45] So I was a real similar tomorrow for no requests, OK?

[3:38:50] Commissioner Thorn, and I'm going to give you

[3:38:52] how to tell you how to solve this problem when we get finished.

[3:38:56] Commissioner Thorn, you have the floor.

[3:38:59] So are you guys not telling the truth about numbers?

[3:39:03] I mean, that seems to be an accusation.

[3:39:05] I just wanted you to respond if you could.

[3:39:13] Are you not, I mean, laying down numbers or anything.

[3:39:15] All numbers are developed with whatever the assumptions are.

[3:39:19] We try to lay out what the assumptions are every time that we present.

[3:39:24] So it's not a matter of is it true or not true?

[3:39:28] It's if you don't agree with the assumptions, then you want to agree with the numbers.

[3:39:32] It's really that something.

[3:39:34] Thank you.

[3:39:35] Thank you for laying that out and it's really not political either.

[3:39:40] We have a lot of needs, I have a lot of needs in my house that I wish I could find but I just can't at this time.

[3:39:50] Everybody can come up with a ton of needs and I looked at Gwynette County, our neighboring county.

[3:39:57] They were able to identify. They realized.

[3:40:00] The cost of inflation is hurting everybody. It's hurting government, it's hurting individuals.

[3:40:06] And they were able to identify areas where they thought they could reduce spending, but not reduce services.

[3:40:13] And they're reducing their budget by $66 million. So kudos to them.

[3:40:18] Um, you know, I do appreciate you guys putting out the cost of the consent to Cree, that's

[3:40:27] helpful for me to see we're funding because it is such a huge expense that where the taxpayers

[3:40:34] are going to have to incur and we didn't know exactly and we still don't know exactly

[3:40:39] how much we're going to pay.

[3:40:41] So for me to have that as a separate item that's causing our millage rate to go up or increase

[3:40:47] it makes it easier, actually more transparent, not less transparent, that I can explain it

[3:40:54] to my constituents if we do have to raise, or we approve a budget that is not flat.

[3:41:01] It makes it easier for me to explain to my constituents.

[3:41:05] It's laid out.

[3:41:06] It's there.

[3:41:07] It's visible.

[3:41:07] There's a graphic there.

[3:41:10] I do have a concern with a ruling that just came out last week with our district attorney

[3:41:20] that is likely going to cost the county millions of dollars.

[3:41:24] And I want to know if that's been addressed, I understand we have 45 days where the 19

[3:41:32] defendants will turn in their legal costs that the full county tax payers will be on

[3:41:38] So are we going to wait to just throw that in the budget?

[3:41:42] Are we just going to ignore that like that didn't happen?

[3:41:45] Or what is the situation there?

[3:41:47] So let me stress that quickly.

[3:41:50] I think we need to to Madam County to help me out to discuss that special prosecutors

[3:41:57] ruling in executive session and where we go from here.

[3:42:03] So I'll wait for executive session, but obviously we're not putting that in the budget.

[3:42:10] For me, I appreciate what you're doing.

[3:42:14] We can do the math.

[3:42:15] I know Hakeem, when he was here, he would sit down and he had a model where it was this

[3:42:21] scenario he could plug it in the model and I could see what would happen with the millage rate.

[3:42:28] I assume we still have that model if that's correct.

[3:42:31] So I imagine a commissioner's want to add 300 million to the budget.

[3:42:35] And I think the sheriff wants us to add 180 million to his budget.

[3:42:40] You could see how much the millage rates can increase with adding that into the budget.

[3:42:45] And I just want to thank you for all the work you're doing.

[3:42:49] I like the simplified presentation here.

[3:42:54] It's not overwhelming to look at.

[3:42:57] And I would love to see if we could find areas to trim.

[3:43:01] And we could make the impact of not having to raise the milled rate when we set the milled

[3:43:09] rate in August.

[3:43:11] Oh, I also wanted to point out, there's been a lot of talk about the $68 million surplus

[3:43:16] that we have a surplus, we have money to spend, that $68 million is put into our fund balance.

[3:43:24] It is located there in the 232.7 million fund balance that we're using towards this year of

[3:43:33] budget and we're still going to come up short.

[3:43:37] So anybody who's out there saying we have a surplus, let's just spend the money, let's

[3:43:41] go, you're just asking to spend money that we're not going to have next year and you're

[3:43:46] going to be raising the millage rate even more.

[3:43:50] Thank you.

[3:43:50] That's all I have to say.

[3:43:53] Thank you Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to add something to what I was saying earlier, and I appreciate your comments, Commissioner Ivory, and I think maybe Commissioner Ivory did a better job of getting at what I was trying to say about the 32 million separated out on the chart here as additional property tax and consent decree.

[3:44:21] But that separation, I think I just said, is confusing or isn't accurate or whatever.

[3:44:27] But the reality is, that separation, that right there on page two of the document, this

[3:44:33] PowerPoint you have up, is political, because there is no business case for drawing this

[3:44:39] this way.

[3:44:41] Writing this up is $32 million additional property tax, and $32 million to be sent on a

[3:44:48] centricry is purely political. So I just have to reiterate that and make that more clear

[3:44:54] because I think I wasn't clear enough about that. That is not a business decision.

[3:45:00] Property tax is property tax. There's no such thing as a $32 million additional property tax to pay a consent decree.

[3:45:06] And the other thing I want to say, and I think Commissioner Ivory alluded to this, you know, we're talking about

[3:45:17] cutting everything.

[3:45:19] And a 1% cut, like keeping everybody at prior year levels to, to cram everything into this, you know, lower amount.

[3:45:28] But the reality is, the consens decree is not a random thing that just happened to us because

[3:45:36] the consens decree isn't placed because we did not live up to our obligations.

[3:45:41] And that comes from under investing in justice for decades.

[3:45:47] As evidence by the fact that we were under a consent decree before, I think for nine years

[3:45:52] or something, we finally got out of it and we continued not to invest enough and found ourselves

[3:45:57] right back under consensus create that. So if we don't up the level of investment that we're

[3:46:06] willing to make in the entire justice system and we are doing the minimum to get through and

[3:46:14] get out of a consensus-cree, we're just going to find ourselves right back there again. So

[3:46:21] cutting funding to justice or continuing to deny funding for things that improve the justice

[3:46:27] system, like pad, who is still sitting here patiently waiting to see what we're going to do.

[3:46:32] We're going to end up in the same situation.

[3:46:35] So we can't just address only the concerns specifically that are listed in the consent

[3:46:40] to career in the DOJ report and ignore the throughput of the court system, ignore diversion options,

[3:46:47] ignore all the things that the programs that are our various justice partners are trying

[3:46:52] put in place to make everything better because we're not going to spend on any of that and

[3:46:59] only invest in the exact same things exactly what is listed in the consent to create and nothing

[3:47:03] more. It's just going to get us right back in the same position however many years from now,

[3:47:08] whether it's five years after we get to this one or ten or whatever it is. So I think we just need

[3:47:13] to own the fact that our under-investment for a long period of time is responsible for this.

[3:47:20] is not a consent decree didn't float down from nowhere.

[3:47:24] It's on us for a reason.

[3:47:26] And we are responsible for that.

[3:47:29] So I just think, you know, we have to be really clear about what this is.

[3:47:33] It's not some mystery thing that came out of nowhere.

[3:47:36] It's a ruling.

[3:47:38] It's a decision about the status of where we are

[3:47:41] and requirements we need to not be under this,

[3:47:47] you know, Department of Justice ruling.

[3:47:49] And I'm probably using the wrong legal words,

[3:47:51] so forgive me for that.

[3:47:52] But you get my point.

[3:47:54] I think whether or not you want to present options

[3:47:59] for different versions of the budget,

[3:48:01] as Commissioner Ivory suggested,

[3:48:02] or you don't feel like you got that direction

[3:48:04] from four members of the board or what have you,

[3:48:06] I do think you have a responsibility to present a budget

[3:48:09] that it is actually providing sufficient levels of service.

[3:48:13] This is a word that gets used every year

[3:48:15] in the budget book, sufficient levels of service.

[3:48:20] Is it sufficient if people are still dying in the jail?

[3:48:24] Like, is it sufficient?

[3:48:25] I mean, I just want to be sufficient.

[3:48:27] If we have people sleeping on the floor, is it sufficient?

[3:48:30] If we have backlogs in the courts, is it sufficient?

[3:48:34] So I do think you have a responsibility to tell us

[3:48:37] whether we like it or not.

[3:48:40] The cost to truly be at a sufficient level of service

[3:48:42] that will not only get us out of this consent decree,

[3:48:45] But we'll put us on the right path to stay out of consent decrees, long term.

[3:48:51] And I do, by the way, Mr. County managers are very much respect that you did bring a lot of these numbers forward for us.

[3:48:56] I think it was two or three years ago now. I don't remember now.

[3:48:59] And we chose to ignore you. And I understand the frustration of not wanting to continue to do that over and over again.

[3:49:05] I get it. I just, I would love for you to keep doing that. Keep telling us those numbers because they're true.

[3:49:11] So, I think I've made my point.

[3:49:16] All right, it's 141.

[3:49:18] Vice chair, I'll let you have the floor.

[3:49:22] This budget has a 12% increase in expenditure is correct.

[3:49:26] So we're not cutting me.

[3:49:28] Yes.

[3:49:28] 12%.

[3:49:30] 12%.

[3:49:30] I don't think any of our households would see in jobs a 12%.

[3:49:34] And I know there are a lot of people in this board.

[3:49:37] Not a lot.

[3:49:38] Who seem to be darned in determined that they're going to raise tax rates on people.

[3:49:41] you know, regardless. And I'm not one of those folks. I heard specifically, very loud and clear, I've heard it during my time on this commission, that property taxes or a significant burden on our citizens.

[3:50:00] And we've got an obligation to do everything possible to minimize that tax burden, and just layering on money on top of money is not the answer.

[3:50:13] If we underinvested in justice, say we, in fact, we've invested more in justice than we have in many of the other areas.

[3:50:20] We were out of a consent decree, and we got back in one when there was a change in leadership.

[3:50:30] So sometimes we also applied a lot of money into that particular office decisions were made.

[3:50:36] We can have a long discussion about the actions of that individual running that office in that department,

[3:50:42] in the impact that that caused us to be in this consent decree, which maybe we would not have been.

[3:50:47] had they chose to spend those dollars and run their operations differently.

[3:50:52] That's a subject for another debate.

[3:50:54] But it's not a given that we're in a consent decree because of under-investment.

[3:51:01] We've invested a significant amount in justice.

[3:51:05] And we continue to.

[3:51:06] And we continue.

[3:51:07] And we will continue to.

[3:51:10] But my only comment this order in terms of budget direction to you all

[3:51:13] is that a do think we all need to recognize

[3:51:20] The voices we heard from our citizens and it's overwhelming in this county and in the state that the property tax burdens are too high.

[3:51:28] And the decisions we make need to be undergirded with keeping that village rate is close as possible to where it is right now.

[3:51:38] All right, anything else?

[3:51:40] Before we break your recess for lunch in the executive session.

[3:51:43] That's been brought to my attention that there's about 10 or 12 folk who are here.

[3:51:48] And I am glad we thank you for not moving items up on the agenda today for that's

[3:51:53] getting out of hand.

[3:51:56] However, these people have been waiting on this pad and where this notion came from, we

[3:52:00] were doing a wave of tad, maybe some misinformation is being sent out, I don't know, but

[3:52:05] If we can dispose of the item on the bottom of the page 9, 25, 0, 8, 4, 1, any objections to that.

[3:52:14] If you recall that, it will recess for lunch, Madam Parker, but you sound that one.

[3:52:18] 25, 0, 8, 4, 1, behavior health and developmental disabilities.

[3:52:22] We request approval of a memorandum of understanding between Pulton County and the Pulton

[3:52:27] Nancy Fulton, Pat, to resume financial support

[3:52:30] for delivery of pre-risk diversion services

[3:52:33] in the amount of $400,000.

[3:52:36] All right, motion to adopt our commission

[3:52:38] in the air in 10 second by commission of Barrett,

[3:52:40] let's vote, please.

[3:52:42] And the vote is open.

[3:52:46] And the vote should pass this unanimously.

[3:52:50] All right.

[3:52:52] Interfying the motion to recess with lunch,

[3:52:54] and we may consider items from the executive session

[3:52:56] of real estate litigation and personnel.

[3:52:58] We

[3:53:06] need a second. We need a second. We got a second. Who is the ivory?

[3:53:11] Okay, here.

[3:53:16] And the vote is open.

[3:53:25] And the motion passes, six shades, zero name.

[3:54:19] All

[3:54:34] right madam clerk without objection we will resume the regular order of business taking up items from the executive session Madam County attorney

[3:55:00] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We just have one action item from the executive session. Is there a motion to decline

[3:55:07] the settlement offer in item four of the executive session agenda?

[3:55:12] We have a motion to do so by commissioner. I'll do rock mine, seconded by commissioner thorn.

[3:55:17] That's all, please.

[3:55:18] And the vote is open.

[3:55:26] And the motion passes unanimously.

[3:55:30] No further items?

[3:55:31] All right, continue your medical care.

[3:55:33] On page 9,

[3:55:36] 25, 9 to 9, registration and election, request approval to increase spending

[3:55:41] of $40 for temporary staffing in the amount of $352,000.

[3:55:47] All right, I'm hosting to approve that commission after you rocked mine, seconded by

[3:55:50] the commission that Eric didn't fully vote.

[3:55:54] And the vote is open.

[3:56:03] And the motion passes, 5v8, 0 nays, 25, 0, 9, 3, 0, real estate and asset management.

[3:56:10] Request approval of a statewide contract in the mountain out to exceed 467,108,333 cents to provide preventive and corrective maintenance services for filtering county animal services facility.

[3:56:24] All right, motion to approve by Commissioner Ivory, seconded by Commissioner Thorn, please vote.

[3:56:29] And the vote is open and

[3:56:35] the motion passed this unanimously.

[3:56:38] 25,0931, requests approval of a statewide contract in the Mount Nuts

[3:56:42] XC, 428,860, 50 cents per vot preventive and corrected maintenance services

[3:56:49] for the Fulton County South NXGL.

[3:56:52] Motion to approve a commissioner after a month, seconded by a commissioner

[3:56:55] to thaw on please vote.

[3:56:57] And the vote is open

[3:57:04] and the motion passed is six shades, zero nays,

[3:57:07] $25,093,2 arts and culture across approval of a statewide contract for professional

[3:57:13] temporary staffing and an amount not to exceed $105,000.

[3:57:18] Motion to approve our commissioner after a rock line, seconded by Commissioner

[3:57:21] Eric and police vote.

[3:57:24] In the vote is open

[3:57:30] and the motion passes five days, zero days, on page 10,

[3:57:38] 25,093,3

[3:57:40] public works, request approval of a recommended proposal in an amount not 60, $400,000 to provide engineering services.

[3:57:49] Motion to approve by Commissioner Ivory, seconded by Commissioner Barrick, please vote.

[3:57:55] And the vote is open.

[3:58:01] And the motion passes, six shades, zero nays.

[3:58:04] 25, zero, nine, three, four senior services.

[3:58:07] Request approval of recommended proposal for seeing your in-home services in an amount that

[3:58:13] to exceed 1,837,166 dollars and 32 cents.

[3:58:19] All right, a favorable motion by Commissioner Barrett's second advice, Commissioner Ivory,

[3:58:23] please vote.

[3:58:24] In the vote of open,

[3:58:30] in the motion passes unanimously, Commissioner's action items,

[3:58:34] It's $0.25 or $0.42, because the approval of an ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Article 2,

[3:58:40] Division 2 of the Code of Law, the Bolton County relating to the Code of Ethics Regarding,

[3:58:46] and preliminary process for commissioners to seek to file Ethics Complaints against

[3:58:50] other commissioners and for other purposes sponsored by Commissioner Thorne.

[3:58:55] Motion to approve by Commissioner Thorne's second advice, Chair Pelis.

[3:58:59] The question is comments.

[3:59:02] And the vote is open,

[3:59:09] the motion passes, 4a's, 3a's, 25, 0844, requests the approval resolution

[3:59:18] to create a commercial property assessment task force to provide input to the members of

[3:59:23] the Board of Commissioners in collaboration with the Fulton County Board of Tax Accessors

[3:59:28] and its staff on the valuation of commercial properties and for other purposes sponsored

[3:59:34] by Commissioner Ivory.

[3:59:38] I'd like to call the question.

[3:59:43] I'd like to call the question.

[3:59:44] I'd like to call the question.

[3:59:45] All right.

[3:59:45] Questions being called.

[3:59:48] Let's vote on the call of the question.

[3:59:57] And the vote is open on call of the question.

[4:00:06] And the motion fails, 3A's, 3A's, 3A's.

[4:00:09] All right, back to the motion. It's on the floor. Commissioner, Vice Chair Ellis.

[4:00:15] Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'd like to offer a substitute motion to tonight.

[4:00:19] Substitute motion to the next. Substitute motion to tonight by Vice Chair Ellis, seconded by Commissioner, I'll be rocked by.

[4:00:26] It's vote, please.

[4:00:30] And the vote is open on the motion to deny.

[4:00:38] And the motion passes, 4A's, 3A.

[4:00:40] Next item.

[4:00:41] 25, 0892, request approval, a resolution directly in the county manager to include on an annual

[4:00:49] basis funding and an amount not to exceed $1 million for the Fulton County Veterans Community

[4:00:55] Services Grant Program to support services and programs for veterans residing in Fulton

[4:01:00] County and for other purposes, sponsored by Commissioners, Airington Barrett at Ivory.

[4:01:06] All right, motion to approve, by Commissioner Ivory, seconded by Commissioner Farrey.

[4:01:12] The media objection to taking this up in the budget time is probably a lot of support for

[4:01:17] it.

[4:01:18] But it's time, it's three weeks away.

[4:01:20] Yes.

[4:01:21] I object.

[4:01:22] Let's vote.

[4:01:23] Motion to approve.

[4:01:28] And the vote is open.

[4:01:35] And the motion fails.

[4:01:36] Three A's.

[4:01:37] Two Nays.

[4:01:38] Next item.

[4:01:39] On page 11.

[4:01:41] 25, 0, 8, 9, 3, the press approval of an ordinance to amend Chapter 101, Article 2,

[4:01:47] Division 2, Section 101, 163 of the Fulton County Code of Audence to clarify procedures

[4:01:53] for debt to the decision of a presiding officer in the absence of the chairman and vice

[4:01:58] chairman and for other purposes, sponsored by Commissioner Eringson.

[4:02:02] All right.

[4:02:02] Motion to approve.

[4:02:03] I've commissioned a highly seconded by Commissioner Barrett, vice chair, all this

[4:02:06] you have before.

[4:02:08] Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair, given that we adopted a procedure for this at the last meeting

[4:02:13] of month-off for a substitute motion to deny.

[4:02:15] Second.

[4:02:16] Substitute motion to deny

[4:02:21] by Vice Chair Ellis, seconded by Commissioner of Duke Rockman.

[4:02:25] Let's vote, please.

[4:02:26] On the motion to deny.

[4:02:30] And the vote is open on the motion to deny.

[4:02:35] In the motion passes, four years, three days.

[4:02:38] Next item.

[4:02:39] 25, 0895, requested approval of a resolution of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners,

[4:02:46] amending policies, limiting the use of Fulton County staff for certain events by members

[4:02:50] of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and for other purposes sponsored by Vice Chair

[4:02:56] Ellis and Commissioner Thorne.

[4:02:58] Motion to approve by Commissioner Thorne's seconded by Vice Chair Ellis, Vice Chair

[4:03:03] Ellis, Commissioner Harrington, Commissioner Hyverick, Commissioner Barrett.

[4:03:07] Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[4:03:09] Commissioners, this is a fairly straightforward resolution.

[4:03:13] Then emphasizes that we, as commissioners,

[4:03:15] when we do events with our name attached to them,

[4:03:18] that we use our staff, which we have plenty of staff.

[4:03:23] All of us have our strong, strong cadre of individual staffs.

[4:03:27] We use our staff and the staff budget to conduct them

[4:03:30] and promote them.

[4:03:32] We have, we're entering into campaign season and a lot of folks are running for office and when events,

[4:03:40] when events occur, there's a lot of instances where these events have been conducted and promoted by county staff

[4:03:48] and sometimes there's a feeling that the lines of blur between west of commissioner of event and a campaign activity.

[4:03:54] I think all of us want to avoid the appearance of that. This resolution doesn't limit the amount of events

[4:04:01] or town halls or anything of that nature that a individual commissioner could do, it just

[4:04:06] ask us all to put some constraint in terms of how we're utilizing and exercising our individual

[4:04:12] other departments outside of our county paid staff. It does allow for four town halls to be supported

[4:04:19] by external affairs and dream that's 28 collectively for all of us, which is a be a lot of time

[4:04:25] for that staff to spend outside of their day-to-day activities.

[4:04:30] So, commissioners could continue to have as many town

[4:04:33] all events as they wanted to,

[4:04:35] it doesn't matter wherever, whenever,

[4:04:37] and whatever time they would just utilize

[4:04:39] that their staff to conduct and promote those.

[4:04:42] Furthermore, this resolution goes on to state that

[4:04:47] when we are doing county-wide events that are put on

[4:04:50] by external affairs and others,

[4:04:52] or that those are what they are counting white events and they are promoted and

[4:04:57] average has such not under just the name of an individual.

[4:05:00] So I would ask for your favourable support. Commissioner Arlington?

[4:05:09] So

[4:05:12] I got elected in 2015 and I have been in office for 11 years.

[4:05:27] For all 11 years I have hosted a minimum of three to four town halls three to four times a year.

[4:05:41] And let's talk about those town halls, I typically host a text exemption town hall as well as a

[4:05:54] from the text exemption town hall typically held in April or in March before the April 1st deadline.

[4:06:03] And the reason that I host multiple ones is so that I can talk to different residents throughout my district.

[4:06:19] Importantly, I invite the staff from the assessor's office because neither me nor my staff have the expertise to answer the questions that the constituents have about the exemptions.

[4:06:34] And the staff works with people on site at those town halls.

[4:06:47] The residents enjoy having qualified competence staff at the town hall who can answer their questions.

[4:07:00] And so, I guess I'm somewhat befuddled by the need for this.

[4:07:12] I've been going this for 11 years.

[4:07:14] I've been inviting staff out to speak in my text exemption town hall and the text bill

[4:07:21] town hall that we typically do in August before they get their bills.

[4:07:26] And

[4:07:30] the residents want to hear from me, but more importantly, they want someone near

[4:07:34] can answer their questions at the text, at the property text town halls that we do in August

[4:07:40] before the text bills are received. People bring their text bills and the staff works with

[4:07:46] them right there on site.

[4:07:53] And one of the reasons that was offered is because their elections

[4:07:56] coming up. I've been here 11 years. We've had an election in 2018. It was an election in 2022.

[4:08:05] So the fact that there's an election coming up next year is irrelevant.

[4:08:12] House 3 to 4 town halls 3 to 4 times a year and have done so every year for the last 11 years.

[4:08:21] And it is important to have the staff there so that they can answer the questions that the residents have.

[4:08:29] They have the expertise, they have the knowledge, and they are happy and excited to do it.

[4:08:37] And so,

[4:08:44] you know, this is one of the reasons why I'm running for chair, because of resolutions, just like this.

[4:08:54] The SNR and team, there's nothing in this resolution that restricts you if you continue to do what you do.

[4:09:11] I'm done.

[4:09:13] Who is to ivory?

[4:09:14] Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.

[4:09:18] I'll just make a prediction that this item will pass forward at three.

[4:09:23] who shocked it will pass four to three from some of the very commissioners that say

[4:09:30] transparency and being in the community is the most important point of what a point

[4:09:35] excuse me

[4:09:38] one of what is not speaking to the actual

[4:09:43] issue at hand

[4:09:45] it is not speaking to the issue at hand

[4:09:48] Thank you, that's an ignorance statement, but that's fine.

[4:09:55] And then commissioners will say there are committed to community, which town hall.

[4:10:00] Part of community, many commissioners, due town halls, but then there will be a 4-3 vote. I promise you. So this is absolutely a political move because it is a campaign season coming up.

[4:10:14] But it's said, because the very reason we are elected is to give you the information that you would and otherwise be able to get or be able to easily understand,

[4:10:28] which is the very nature of town halls.

[4:10:33] So, this resolution is not a minor administrative change,

[4:10:36] while some language has been adjusted,

[4:10:38] it's still limits meaningful public engagement.

[4:10:41] Community access to elected officials is essential

[4:10:44] and this resolution continues to shrink that access.

[4:10:50] Transparency accountability and community engagement

[4:10:53] are at the heart of public service.

[4:10:55] watch your public servants wiggling out of that.

[4:11:00] We have a responsibility to be present, accessible, and responsive to the people who elected

[4:11:05] us, not to create barriers between ourselves and our constituents.

[4:11:10] Townholds are the forms of democracy.

[4:11:14] There are where residents ask questions they hold accountable, and they engage beyond a brief

[4:11:19] moment in a meeting at public comment.

[4:11:22] This resolution restricts us to only four town halls per year, virtual or in-person, requiring

[4:11:29] these events to take place in county facilities, automatically, here's interesting language,

[4:11:36] automatically engages county staff outside of a particular commission's office.

[4:11:41] If we're going to have an event at a county facility, we have to engage with people that

[4:11:46] are outside of our county office to do that.

[4:11:49] If it's not a library, if it's had another location that is county owned, we must call.

[4:11:55] We must ask them if the dates are open.

[4:11:57] We must do a walkthrough.

[4:11:59] We must do set up.

[4:12:00] So they're going to be engaged no matter what.

[4:12:02] Nobody just hands the keys over to a county facility and says, have your town hall.

[4:12:08] Which is why this limit effect effectively caps anything that we want to do.

[4:12:13] It just doesn't make any sense.

[4:12:15] Some may argue that commissioners can hold events within their own staff,

[4:12:19] But that misses the point completely

[4:12:20] that we operate as a full, full, and county.

[4:12:23] When I first became a commissioner,

[4:12:25] one of the very things that my constituents asked

[4:12:27] while I was running for office was to have a town hall

[4:12:30] about commercial property assessments.

[4:12:32] And it was the very first thing I did.

[4:12:35] And you know what?

[4:12:35] The tax commissioner told me and the chief assessor told me

[4:12:39] that they hadn't been in a town hall together

[4:12:41] for decades together.

[4:12:44] And they were more than happy to do it.

[4:12:47] And then we did it.

[4:12:48] and it was great. So we want to do it again. And we did have to use county staff outside of

[4:12:55] my county to do that. And it was a wonderful town hall. Restricting town halls to weekdays,

[4:13:01] excluding working class residents who cannot attend during business hours. That's what this does.

[4:13:06] Limiting events to county own facilities, shuts out local churches, schools, community theaters,

[4:13:11] and small neighborhood businesses. Spaces where residents feel comfortable, gathering, and connecting.

[4:13:17] Like the ones that I did at the Plaza Theatre and on Ponce de Leon, and the one that I did at the Academy Theatre in Havel,

[4:13:23] which the residents of Havel said had never happened before in Havel.

[4:13:30] This resolution still limits opportunities for residents to meet with their commissioners,

[4:13:34] by restricting timing locations and the total number of events.

[4:13:38] It shrinks windows for public participation and weakens the connection between government and community.

[4:13:43] What are you hiding?

[4:13:45] What information are you trying to hide by limiting the amount of contact that we can have with our constituents?

[4:13:52] Hiding from constituents allows you to hide behind what you're doing as a commissioner.

[4:13:57] That could be the whole reason that this four vote is going to pass.

[4:14:02] Just a prediction, but let's see it happen in 10 minutes from now.

[4:14:05] If this passes, residents lose dialogue, access, and connection, they lose the chance to meet with their commissioners and ways that foster understanding

[4:14:13] understanding, excuse me, trust, and effective government.

[4:14:17] But this is a part of a nationwide trend, limiting transparency, shrinking participation

[4:14:23] and making government less accountable.

[4:14:26] Supporting this resolution aligns with that pattern.

[4:14:30] I cannot and will not support a measure that tells Fulton County residents your voices do

[4:14:35] not matter.

[4:14:36] They should not have a fight, they should not have to fight for access to their government.

[4:14:40] I wanted to ask the county attorney just hosting a town hall violate any sort of campaign compliance issues

[4:14:46] I see she's on here right now, but can you answer that for me?

[4:14:52] Hi commissioner, not per se it does not assuming that you're not doing it specifically for your campaign

[4:14:57] Thank you and Jessica

[4:15:00] I wanted to ask you from external affairs standpoint. It's supporting commissioner events too much for your team to handle.

[4:15:11] Point of order, chairman.

[4:15:13] What's your point of order?

[4:15:14] My point of order is that out of line, she's a person that actually, she is one of our reports. She reports to the commission here.

[4:15:28] So to put her on a spot like that publicly.

[4:15:30] And ask that question is not in line of what this is talking about.

[4:15:34] Okay.

[4:15:35] What do you do?

[4:15:37] Did you just wait?

[4:15:38] Just wait.

[4:15:41] Yeah.

[4:15:41] She reports to the county Jessica.

[4:15:43] Supporting commissioner events for as to much further

[4:15:46] to hand on of order.

[4:15:52] Chairman, asking someone who reports to the county attorney.

[4:15:56] Excuse me, to the county manager who ultimately reports to these

[4:16:00] Board of Commissioners asking her that question is out of order.

[4:16:06] It is mine.

[4:16:08] Just a minute.

[4:16:09] Just a minute.

[4:16:10] Just a minute.

[4:16:11] Just a minute.

[4:16:11] I have to agree with that.

[4:16:13] I have more background on this.

[4:16:15] That's all right.

[4:16:15] You all can overrule my room.

[4:16:17] They're going to except for a point of order because they're motion to overrule.

[4:16:20] A motion to overrule.

[4:16:21] There's a second.

[4:16:22] All right.

[4:16:22] Prophecy move to the second to overrule the chair.

[4:16:25] Let's vote please.

[4:16:36] Most is to overrule my ruling.

[4:16:45] All right.

[4:16:45] We're sharing.

[4:16:45] Yeah, I'm not actually finished the full again after her point of order.

[4:16:48] All right, I'm going to vote on that.

[4:16:50] Okay.

[4:16:50] On there.

[4:16:51] Overroading.

[4:16:52] Come here to Harrington.

[4:16:53] Yeah, so a point of order and the Roberts Rules of Order is a way for a member to

[4:16:59] call attention to a violation of Parliamentary Procedure during a meeting.

[4:17:06] This is not a violation of Parliamentary Procedure, it is not a valid point of order.

[4:17:14] She doesn't write what she's saying, and she doesn't want it to be done, but what is

[4:17:20] the violation Mr. Chair of Parliamentary Procedure?

[4:17:28] The, your point about the reason for the point in order, I'll accept that, but what I'm

[4:17:34] concerned about here, the reason I rule it for my dad, is because it's no secret that

[4:17:42] the origin of this legislation, it's not from commissions, it has come from department heads.

[4:17:49] That's why I think this motion, that's why I accepted it.

[4:17:53] She might have used it wrong, but ruling.

[4:17:56] If she had agreed with your interpretation, that's correct.

[4:17:59] But my ruling was based upon something else.

[4:18:01] So I will, again, the motion on the floor is to overrule my ruling.

[4:18:06] Yeah, well, I mean, you just admitted that I was right, you just admitted that I was right and that there was no violation of parliamentary procedure.

[4:18:19] I mean, we think that we have an answer that she can handle the events for commissioners.

[4:18:24] We want to move on from silly questioning because of intellectual battles that I mean,

[4:18:32] Mr.

[4:18:36] Chair, there's no violation of Parliament to procedure. Madam County Attorney,

[4:18:44] has there been a violation of parliamentary procedure?

[4:18:48] I think based on what the chairman just mentioned his decision was not based on a violation of parliamentary procedure, but he is the presiding officer that makes the rulings.

[4:18:58] I tell he's made that ruling and the court is free to overwhelm him.

[4:19:02] I would you like a question.

[4:19:03] Okay.

[4:19:05] Thank you.

[4:19:07] Based on ignorance.

[4:19:09] Okay.

[4:19:09] Vice chair, as you want to be heard.

[4:19:13] All right.

[4:19:14] Just a minute.

[4:19:15] Just a minute.

[4:19:17] Just a minute.

[4:19:18] Just a minute.

[4:19:19] Just a minute.

[4:19:20] Just a minute.

[4:19:23] Well.

[4:19:25] Take five minutes and breathe.

[4:19:26] Yeah.

[4:19:30] The motion on the floor is to overrule my room, and I'll let's vote that up or down.

[4:19:37] In the vote is open,

[4:19:49] in the motion bills, 3A's, 4A's.

[4:19:52] All right, now back to the main motion, it's sound the main motion again, I don't clerk.

[4:19:59] To approve.

[4:20:24] All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[4:20:35] Vice-chair Ellis, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[4:20:36] you said in your remarks that this does not limit how many town halls can be done or where

[4:20:46] they can be done or any of those things. But that is actually not what's written here. In particular

[4:20:54] on an exhibit a number three, there is a sentence the last sentence of number three says town hall

[4:21:01] events shall take place on weekdays and at a Fulton County facility.

[4:21:08] That is very restrictive and it does not clarify that only you're only talking about

[4:21:13] ones there that use county staff or whatever.

[4:21:17] The reality is most of our citizens cannot be at point of order.

[4:21:22] You did not read the entire, you read it wrong.

[4:21:25] I read the whole thing.

[4:21:26] Just a minute.

[4:21:28] He's not, I have the floor.

[4:21:29] Just a minute.

[4:21:30] Just a minute.

[4:21:31] What's your point of order, Mr.

[4:21:33] Not your, what do you, you've just stated she didn't rate it properly?

[4:21:36] I would you read the whole thing, please.

[4:21:38] A commissioner may only request county staff for up to four in person or virtual town halls.

[4:21:43] Town hall events per year period.

[4:21:45] A town hall is defined as an event that is open to the public and hosted by one or more commissioners,

[4:21:50] where the commissioner answers questions presented by members of the public as a significant portion of the event.

[4:21:54] Period? Town Hall events shall take place

[4:21:57] on weekdays and at a Fulton County facility.

[4:22:00] Period, I have read it perfectly clearly.

[4:22:03] I have ten.

[4:22:03] Just a minute, just to allemaal.

[4:22:05] Just to all it logнали.

[4:22:05] It has seemed all of it.

[4:22:06] It says allevance that you have just .

[4:22:07] I have four.

[4:22:08] I just remain Oliver�에 A novelger.

[4:22:11] Just a minute.

[4:22:12] high, Canadians.

[4:22:13] With allрийствekland's

[4:22:14] there, the interruptions are so heavy.

[4:22:16] You have.

[4:22:16] Towqm.ue

[4:22:17] you have the horror. It

[4:22:18] says very clearly, here, Town

[4:22:21] Hall events, all

[4:22:22] takedays on weekdays and

[4:22:24] a Fulton County facility. You may have intended it differently, but that is what it says.

[4:22:29] First of all, I don't have any Fulton County facilities big enough to hold a town hall in my

[4:22:34] district. So if I want to have a town hall for my district, there's nowhere for me to do it.

[4:22:40] And most people cannot come to a Fulton County facility during the day on a weekday. That is why

[4:22:47] I often the town halls are in the evening or on the weekends when people can come. So that is extremely

[4:22:53] restrictive, and I cannot support that.

[4:22:58] The definition of town hall presented here is arbitrary in that the wording of a significant

[4:23:10] portion of the event is a question and answer. How much is a significant portion? If it's

[4:23:17] an hour long event, is 15 minutes significant? Because I hosted an event that was a panel

[4:23:22] discussion and most of the day, most of the time was spent doing a panel discussion, not Q&A,

[4:23:27] but at the end, there was some Q&A. So I don't know what a significant portion means and I don't

[4:23:32] know how county staff is supposed to interpret what significant portion means. So that's problematic

[4:23:37] in terms of how county management is going to even interpret this when the four of you vote to pass it.

[4:23:45] Exhibit A number four changed the original from a 14 day notice to a 30 day notice.

[4:23:54] And even a 14 day notice can be problematic when one of the reasons that we may want to hold

[4:24:00] some kind of a town hall is if some kind of emergency situation comes up.

[4:24:04] Let's say for example, snap funding is cut off and we want to hold a town hall to talk about

[4:24:09] what we're going to do as commissioners to address food and security.

[4:24:13] Well now we have to get 30 days notice to do a town hall to get a staff member to come.

[4:24:18] problematic.

[4:24:22] It says here in Exhibit A4 that external affairs support for town halls will be

[4:24:27] limited to providing publicity and promotion, so are they not allowed to send a photographer?

[4:24:32] Because that's something that they often do. Are we not allowed to borrow a table or a podium

[4:24:38] from external affairs? Because that has often something that has been done. And if the event itself

[4:24:47] does not have a significant portion of questions, a Q&A does that mean they can come and do everything

[4:24:54] else? Is this only restricting town halls, but every other kind of meeting they can send a photographer?

[4:25:00] Or come or do whatever. It's not clear.

[4:25:05] Let's see. A5, county staff selection, participation and scheduling for town halls is subject to the direction of the department head. Scheduling for town halls. So now the department head is going to schedule when we have a town hall. If my community is available on a Thursday night, and that's when I want to hold a town hall. I can't do that if I want the tax assessors office to come. They then get to schedule it.

[4:25:33] whether they come or not should certainly be up to them, but they should not be responsible for scheduling the town hall.

[4:25:45] Let's see, exhibit seven.

[4:25:52] Yeah, so this one does say that if you have town halls or other outside of these limitations above that you should do them with your own staff, fine.

[4:26:01] But again, number three has already restricted how many town halls I can have, where and when I can have them.

[4:26:06] Not how many, but where and when.

[4:26:12] So it also says I believe it is in seven.

[4:26:16] That County staff,

[4:26:27] I'm sorry, there's one here and I've lost the number, I've lost the plot a little bit.

[4:26:30] But one of these, it says, oh, I think it's six.

[4:26:32] It says that there's only certain things that the staff can do in terms of providing supplies and materials and all those things.

[4:26:43] And there's also, I think the seven or eight says that they should not be Oh, here it is.

[4:26:47] County staff should not be used to boost coverage of a conditioners attendance at third party events.

[4:26:50] So again, not clear what you really mean by third party events, but external affairs, one of their tasks is to promote what the county is doing.

[4:27:01] And so if a commissioner is doing good work, and it happens to be recognized at a different event, do we not want them to promote that?

[4:27:09] I mean, you know, if the chairman is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, do we not want to promote that, because it didn't happen on county property?

[4:27:18] I mean, I think we would, so my point in going through all of these one by one is that while the intention I understand to limit the use of county staff or an over use of county staff or whatever that perception is.

[4:27:35] But the way this is worded is very confusing and restrictive and I think gets in the way of the point of external affairs and gets in the way of our ability as Commissioner Ivory said to communicate easily

[4:27:47] easily and regularly with our constituents and, as Commissioner Airens pointed out,

[4:27:54] to bring the experts to the table. And I think it's also worth noting that those experts and

[4:27:59] departments, departments often want us to do it. They want the tax assessor's office wants

[4:28:06] us to get out and bring them out so that they can help explain this. It alleviates a ton of

[4:28:11] calls to their office if they can come out and meet with people in person and answer some of these

[4:28:16] questions, and that could be said for any of the other departments, whether it's information

[4:28:20] about election and registrations or information about taxes or tax bills or tax assessments,

[4:28:27] whether it's whatever it is, any county service, they have said to us, behavioral health,

[4:28:32] they want to go out and talk to our constituents.

[4:28:35] So I think

[4:28:42] this is overzealous in what it's trying to do, and I think we should take a lot more

[4:28:47] thought and consideration before we vote yes on something like this. Now I know you have

[4:28:52] your four votes and you're going to get your way but I think it's going to open up a lot of

[4:28:55] questions for staff and cause a lot of problems and I think at the end of the day I think we

[4:28:59] just need to be really clear that restricting town halls and communication to our constituents

[4:29:04] is a bad idea.

[4:29:09] Commissioner Thorne.

[4:29:13] I'm all about town halls, all about communication,

[4:29:16] meeting with my people, meeting with my constituents. I've held four town halls this year,

[4:29:24] two were virtual and two were live. I see the burden at places on staff.

[4:29:33] Yes, the tax assessor's office is so willing to say yes to us. But what are they going to do?

[4:29:39] Say, hey, no, we can't. Being commissioners in our position, we put up unnecessary

[4:29:46] burden on them to say yes, to agree, to come to our town halls. I think it's considerate of

[4:29:55] us to ask them do these dates work on your calendar.

[4:30:01] We need to show up here at this time at this place at a law office, downtown somewhere that they've never been to. That's the whole point of holding it in government buildings, so that it's areas where they're familiar with and know with setup. I had to hold a discount haul in John's Creek, mainly because it was requested to me by the mayor.

[4:30:25] And when I went to the use of their city hall, they were going to charge me, I think $150 or something like that.

[4:30:33] And like, well, I'm going to use my government building, but the library wasn't big enough to hold my town hall.

[4:30:40] But the library was gracious enough to work with me and to clear out a section of the library that was large enough to hold my town hall.

[4:30:48] They made accommodations for me.

[4:30:51] I look at this as just being a consideration, we're not limiting your town halls.

[4:30:57] I'm glad you actually read the Exhibit A Commissioner Barrett because we're not limiting

[4:31:06] how many town hall events.

[4:31:07] You could have unlimited number of town hall events.

[4:31:11] I've asked my staff, could you do a virtual town hall and they agreed that they could?

[4:31:18] And I'm amazed that you got the tax commissioner to come honestly commissioner Ivory.

[4:31:24] I asked him to come do a town hall and he said he couldn't come.

[4:31:29] I know relationships.

[4:31:31] So, and I think I do have a great relationship with Fernand.

[4:31:35] I think the answer shows what kind of relationship we have.

[4:31:41] And still, with engagement, with photography, I mean, Commissioner Ivory, you hire a guy that follows you around and all he does is, you know, do your social media and tape you.

[4:31:52] So I think that that could be the same thing.

[4:31:53] I know you love my social media.

[4:31:55] That's why you have to bring it up.

[4:31:56] I love it.

[4:31:57] You have great social media.

[4:32:14] Restricting it to weekdays, I think, is considerate of the external affairs staff.

[4:32:20] They're time and effort because when they work on weekdays then we have to give them that time back in the form of comp time

[4:32:28] And we know how stressed and how busy our external affairs department is and to have them have to do 27 or whatever

[4:32:39] If each of us had a town hall 28 town halls a year that would be almost needing to hire an extra person

[4:32:48] You said it weakens government, hiding information, hiding from your

[4:32:53] constituents, limiting transparency.

[4:32:57] No, you can do, you can do a town hall.

[4:33:00] You can go out there and you can do a town hall.

[4:33:03] You could do, you guys went out there and got on the podium and did your own little town hall

[4:33:09] in the courthouse steps.

[4:33:11] That's perfectly fine.

[4:33:12] You're not restricted on that.

[4:33:17] the point is that we have that we have ability to reach our constituents.

[4:33:27] I accept your point of order.

[4:33:30] Those aren't limited and those are ways of engaging with your,

[4:33:34] this does not tackle press conferences,

[4:33:37] another way of engaging and getting out your message to people.

[4:33:42] Believe me, I do not want to limit anybody's ability to reach out to their constituents.

[4:33:50] I just want to be considerate of our staff.

[4:33:53] We sat here and nitpicked over $400,000 for Jessica's department, and they're doing all

[4:33:59] they can with the resources that we have.

[4:34:02] She has, and external affairs doesn't need an added strain of multiple town halls back to

[4:34:09] back to back, and I know during the middle of June, what's your point of

[4:34:16] decision?

[4:34:17] If I am not allowed to refer to external affairs and the amount of

[4:34:21] access to your point of order, thank you.

[4:34:23] Yeah, so I know that during the middle of June we all held town halls, and I just can't

[4:34:29] imagine how taxing that was on them, and I just believe it, be considerate of us to work

[4:34:34] our departments, invite them to our town hall, give them the option to decline if they can't

[4:34:41] staff our town hall, hold it in buildings that they're familiar with, whether they're not having

[4:34:46] to drive and find some location and parking and all that. I think that's considerate and I think

[4:34:52] that we as commissioners need to realize that we need to be considerate of the staff that works.

[4:35:00] For us, and we have our own staff that can step up and help us with that transparency issue and hosting our town halls. Thank you.

[4:35:08] Okay, Commissioner Errington, follow my Vice Chair, Alison. Let's vote up or down.

[4:35:14] After that, please. Commissioner, Errington, you have a floor.

[4:35:21] Yeah, I mean, this is again, this is, this is really ridiculous.

[4:35:29] I got three town hall schedule this month on the budget because I want to hear from the residents on their budget, right?

[4:35:43] But this is I'm not doing this because I'm running for chair next year. I'm doing it because I do it every year for the last 11 years.

[4:35:52] I don't host homestead exemption town halls because I'm running for chair next year.

[4:35:59] I've hosted them every year for the last 11 years.

[4:36:06] So if I have a virtual town hall, I can't even invite the staff to my virtual town hall,

[4:36:10] because a virtual town hall isn't in a county facility.

[4:36:17] I mean, this is

[4:36:21] maybe there are some issues that need to be addressed.

[4:36:24] And I don't know what those issues are.

[4:36:26] I heard the chair say, we all know what this is about.

[4:36:30] I do not know what this is about because I have hosted a minimum of three to four

[4:36:37] town halls every year for the last 11 years.

[4:36:43] A minimum of three to four times a year and it's always optional for the staff to come.

[4:36:52] We scheduled them in the beginning of the year.

[4:36:55] I map out my whole year starting in January of every year for the last 11 years.

[4:37:04] They know six, eight, nine, 11 months in advance.

[4:37:10] What my request is, where it is, and all of my town halls have either been at county facilities

[4:37:18] or been virtual.

[4:37:20] be a zone. Don't cover it. We can only do it in a zone. So,

[4:37:29] there may be some good

[4:37:30] reasons, but this is just an example of how

[4:37:40] functional this Board of Commissioners

[4:37:43] is. I've been here for 11 years, 11 years, and I've never seen this level of dysfunctionality

[4:37:53] on this board. If there's an issue we ought to be able to sit down and say, hey, here are

[4:38:00] the issues, how do we address them?

[4:38:06] I will be very surprised if someone has an issue with

[4:38:10] my town halls that I've been hosting for the last 11 years because we've never had one complaint,

[4:38:18] not one complaint.

[4:38:22] And if there is a complaint, I want to hear it, I want to invite them to the

[4:38:27] all so they can tell me what the complaint is. So I can hear the complaint. So I can respond

[4:38:33] to it and adjust accordingly.

[4:38:40] If there are issues that need to be addressed, let's address

[4:38:42] those issues. Let's not do a wholesale change. I mean,

[4:38:51] I mean, this is just, this is absolute insanity.

[4:38:56] And I hope that the full-time county residents are watching and really paying attention

[4:39:01] Because we've got to have people down here that are going to be functional and that are going

[4:39:05] to move this county forward.

[4:39:08] And right down we have people that want to move this county backwards and they don't want

[4:39:13] to make anything happen.

[4:39:15] I have not violated any parliamentary procedure, man.

[4:39:21] We have people down here that don't even know what a damn port of order is.

[4:39:28] They don't know that there's a violation of a parliamentary procedure.

[4:39:31] They think they can say point of order. If they disagree with you

[4:39:35] They think they can say point of order. If they disagree with you.

[4:39:41] Please

[4:39:42] sense them

[4:39:44] Please, there's some reasonable

[4:39:46] People down here

[4:39:49] This is this functionality at its best

[4:39:54] Please send reasonable people down here so that this government

[4:40:01] If you want to know why the government is not functioning, it's because of the representatives that you send down here.

[4:40:08] There are dysfunctional and they're incompetent and unable to proceed with the business of the county.

[4:40:18] Vice Chair, I wish you have a floor. I don't know who that was describing.

[4:40:23] So, the first off, you're right on your parliamentary piece, I would just quote this, using

[4:40:30] the floor to publicly pressure or intimidate a staff member into taking a particular position

[4:40:35] is inconsistent with standard parliamentary procedure and where the modern cozy conduct for public

[4:40:40] bodies.

[4:40:41] So you were correct on that Mr. Chair, didn't want to cite that.

[4:40:44] Number two, I'm going to offer up just a couple of amendments to this resolution which

[4:40:51] clarify what my intent was on this.

[4:40:53] You can have as many town halls as you want, and I think Mr. Barrett, what I was trying to say is I believe you are reading from the prior version of things.

[4:41:02] And I'm going to read provision three with the modification, with the modification I'm going to make.

[4:41:08] And I'm going to ask Commissioner Commissioner Thorne to accept this since she was maker of the motion I was a second.

[4:41:16] Is it where it says county staff in provision three will it will make it will be specific to external affairs and dream staff?

[4:41:25] And this is a way it will read.

[4:41:27] A commissioner may only request external affairs and dream county staff participation for up to four in person or virtual town hall events per year.

[4:41:37] A town hall is defined as an event that is open to the public and hosted by one of

[4:41:43] more commissioners, where the commissioners answer questions presented by members of the

[4:41:47] public as a significant portion of the event.

[4:41:50] Town hall events that utilize external affairs and dream county staff shall take place on

[4:41:55] weekdays and I will add week nights at a county and at a county facility.

[4:42:01] Note that this provision only places limitations on town hall events that utilize external

[4:42:10] fares and dream county staff. Commissioners may use their district staff to conduct

[4:42:15] as many town hall events as desired at any location and time of their choose.

[4:42:23] And then in four, I will make a modification to say external fares supportive such town hall

[4:42:28] We'll be limited to providing publicity and promotion and photography of the event.

[4:42:37] That is clarified in item three, revolving external affairs and dream count and dream participation.

[4:42:44] Welcome to welcome to invite whoever you want.

[4:42:46] In any other, you know, any event you want to have outside of that for.

[4:42:52] All right.

[4:42:54] Let's see.

[4:42:54] So that's that.

[4:42:56] Just a minute.

[4:42:56] Yes, sir.

[4:42:57] Let me present.

[4:42:59] You are the maker of the motion.

[4:43:01] You accept it.

[4:43:02] All right, now Commissioner Barrett.

[4:43:07] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[4:43:10] Vice-chair Allis, I appreciate the amendments.

[4:43:13] I was reading the attachment that is on this week's agenda.

[4:43:17] So I don't know if it's the wrong one,

[4:43:19] but I was reading straight out of this agenda.

[4:43:22] That said, Mr. Chairman, we have a tendency

[4:43:24] on occasion to do things like this, which is fine,

[4:43:27] where we make a friendly amendment.

[4:43:28] And we pretty dramatically change the content

[4:43:31] of what is in something we're then voting on and I think it would be wiser if we could

[4:43:40] actually have a written copy of something before we vote on it to make sure that what was

[4:43:43] said is translated before we vote. So I mean given that we're making a fairly substantial change to

[4:43:50] the language here which I very much appreciate, I would make a motion that we hold until we can see

[4:43:56] written version, and then we can vote on the official version.

[4:44:00] All right, we have a substitute most of our commissioner,

[4:44:02] bear it to hold, seconded by commissioner,

[4:44:04] high-re, vice-unit, Jackson's.

[4:44:12] The modification is fairly straightforward.

[4:44:14] It's a substitute in county staff to say external affairs

[4:44:17] and dreams staff, which is what you've all

[4:44:21] vocalizes, complaint, and what my intent was.

[4:44:24] Candleway.

[4:44:25] So

[4:44:27] we have a lot of stuff to take up and debate.

[4:44:29] My preference is that we would just address it now, but let's just a chair is open and I'm not going to check.

[4:44:39] I'm not sure it's going to, I mean, I don't have any objection to holding it to put it in writing,

[4:44:47] because I think you've addressed the concerns that have been raised, and I'm not sure it's going to change in any votes,

[4:44:53] but I won't, I'm okay with holding it until the next meeting to have reduced the writing.

[4:45:02] I'm fine. I'm not going to hold it without objection in. We will hold to the next meeting. He'll be reduced to rise in, because I think what he said, captured the concerns that were raised.

[4:45:19] We're going to hold it without objection. Next item.

[4:45:33] 25, zero, eight, nine, seven, request approval of a resolution by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners directly in the county manager to work with select Fulton and the Fulton County Development Authority to develop a senior property tax relief program and for other purposes, sponsored by Commissioner Ivory.

[4:45:52] All right, but most into approval by Commissioner Barrett, seconded by Commissioner Ivory, Commissioner Ivory, you have the floor.

[4:45:57] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As this was brought over from the last meeting, this resolution

[4:46:01] is about protecting the seniors who have built and sustained our communities, those who have

[4:46:06] raised families, ran businesses, serving hospitals, hospitals, and help make floating

[4:46:10] county the thriving places today. It focuses on seniors who face immediate risk of displacement

[4:46:15] due to rising property taxes, ensuring they can remain in the homes they have called their

[4:46:20] own for decades. This resolution directs the county manager and consultation with the county

[4:46:24] attorney to design a fund in the most practical and effective way to determine eligibility

[4:46:29] structure and funding.

[4:46:31] Similar programs in Atlanta have demonstrated meaningful impact and this is the first

[4:46:35] initiative of its kind proposed in Fulton County.

[4:46:38] This measure failed last meeting.

[4:46:40] I urge my colleagues to support our residents who have given so much to this county and take

[4:46:44] this important step to preserve housing stability, dignity and community for our seniors.

[4:46:50] All right, Vice Chair, all this you have before?

[4:46:55] I think I've demonstrated a long-term track record of property tax relief, and I think as I said before in the last meeting, I think the way to do that, whether that's for seniors or any other entity, but particularly for our seniors is with the exemption tool, that's our power as a legislator, and we've done that in Fulton County, and we should encourage other, other bodies in Fulton County.

[4:47:22] county that are taxing jurisdictions to do so.

[4:47:25] The second thing is within our power to control the impact and property tax burden on citizens,

[4:47:30] our seniors and citizens is keeping our middle rates constrained and our spending constraint

[4:47:35] and being being thoughtful about the way that we go about spending taxpayer money.

[4:47:42] So raising middle rates and promoting increased spending, you know, are not the things

[4:47:47] that you're going to do to help provide seniors relief.

[4:47:51] And I do not think that the function of government is to create non-profits to pay other people's taxes.

[4:47:58] That's not what our role is.

[4:48:00] If there are things that need to be considered, it needs to be exemptions.

[4:48:03] It needs to be keeping our spending constrained so that militar rates, you know, are not going up and impacting,

[4:48:11] enforcing gentrification and seniors out of their homes.

[4:48:15] And with that, I'm going to offer up a motion to deny.

[4:48:20] You have to substitute most into, well, the motion on the floor is to approve, by a commission

[4:48:25] of mayor and second of the commission, or, can we finish the conversation?

[4:48:34] Well, I'll just want to say, Bridgetson.

[4:48:38] All right.

[4:48:38] Vice, Mr. Thorne?

[4:48:43] I fully agree that we don't create a problem by raising people's taxes so they can't afford

[4:48:49] to stay in their homes and then create the solution to a symptom of a problem that we created

[4:48:56] by raising taxes. It just makes no sense whatsoever. I don't think this is a very, as commissioner

[4:49:02] bear always says, the way is word is not clear, and a lot more to consider. I mean, we're

[4:49:07] just directing the county manager to come up with something. From my understanding, when I

[4:49:12] reached out to the development authority or selectful, they were not even talked to, and yet

[4:49:18] this burden is going to be put on them. So I feel like this is just something throwing out

[4:49:24] to do. And then you also have to think about with a rising millage rates, rising taxes.

[4:49:31] You have to think about the seniors who rent because their rents are going to go up.

[4:49:35] So what do we have to create a nonprofit for the seniors that can't afford to pay in their rents

[4:49:40] because the cost is going to be handed down to them.

[4:49:43] And the list can go on and on and on to the people who can't afford young people who are trying to buy their first homes

[4:49:51] and stay in their homes and can't afford the taxes as they rise and force to move out of

[4:49:55] county.

[4:49:56] So, for me, this is just not a very well thought out.

[4:50:00] And it's addressing a symptom and not the real problem with our seniors.

[4:50:07] All right, Commissioner Ivory, motion on the floor, downstairs, did I?

[4:50:11] Okay, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whenever I'm sitting here, I always have well thought out what I have to say.

[4:50:17] So, I just want to make sure you thoroughly understand that, because we read everything that comes our way.

[4:50:23] So, we're not creating a new problem.

[4:50:26] We have historically underfunded this county,

[4:50:30] which is why we're going to have a milliderate increase this year.

[4:50:33] So, we're not creating an increase to the milliderate

[4:50:35] because of something that has happened.

[4:50:39] And now we want to address it to fix it.

[4:50:41] It's already here because of the lack of underfunding

[4:50:44] in all of the years that you've been sitting here.

[4:50:46] So, let's just talk facts.

[4:50:48] Facts actually do exist.

[4:50:50] And so that is just not, that does not make any logical sense for decades in Atlanta and thankfully.

[4:50:57] All across Georgia nonprofits have stepped in in amazing ways to help our citizens.

[4:51:05] I can think of billions of dollars that Arthur Blank, that Home Depot, that Coca-Cola,

[4:51:14] have given to help communities that is what makes our state and our city so

[4:51:20] wonderful that nonprofits are willing to step up. And in fact in Atlanta,

[4:51:24] nonprofits have stepped up to offer seniors help when they can pay their taxes.

[4:51:29] So I didn't just pull this out from somewhere that you might say, you know,

[4:51:33] I did. We actually researched it. We have evidentiary based research that shows

[4:51:39] that nonprofits step in the gap for when people need extra help.

[4:51:44] And that's all that this is saying.

[4:51:45] So this is not creating a problem by taking any money from the general fund,

[4:51:49] because it isn't any money from the general fund.

[4:51:51] It's money from outside groups that the development authority and selectful

[4:51:55] to already have relationships with.

[4:51:58] So I did talk to folks that selectful to the development authority about it

[4:52:02] who suggested nonprofits could step in the gap.

[4:52:05] And that's where we started thinking about it in the first place.

[4:52:08] So, like I said, we always research and read everything, and then we come back with well-fought

[4:52:14] out resolutions that have also gone through the county attorney's office before they're

[4:52:19] presented to you.

[4:52:21] So, we're not dictating anything that we haven't already majorly discussed, and I'm glad that

[4:52:27] you know it's a good idea.

[4:52:28] Can I have a point of order for all this conversation going on down there while I have

[4:52:32] the floor?

[4:52:32] Just a minute.

[4:52:35] Just continue.

[4:52:37] Okay.

[4:52:37] Thank you.

[4:52:38] It's just.

[4:52:39] Just continue.

[4:52:41] Okay.

[4:52:41] Yes.

[4:52:43] Errington.

[4:52:44] Deluded to the lack of respect on this commission many times.

[4:52:48] And you see it every time we meet.

[4:52:51] So the development authority and select food and are included because they have existing mechanisms to implement community programs and to raise funds in support of initiatives like this.

[4:53:01] They bring extra expertise in economic development and community investment that can help ensure the program is structured effectively.

[4:53:08] However, the ultimate responsibility for how the program operates, including eligibility structure and administration,

[4:53:14] rest with the county manager's office.

[4:53:15] And that is why I included in my resolution that it would be the county manager that would put this program together and direct how it would be operated.

[4:53:22] If the county manager believes it's best to go in another direction, this resolution allows him that discretion.

[4:53:27] This resolution ensures that the fund is designated practically while leveraging the expertise of our established partners.

[4:53:34] And so it's a mechanism from the heart to help folks and not use our own money to do it.

[4:53:40] All right, Mr. Thor, you want to be heard again.

[4:53:42] Yes, I appreciate not using our own money to do it.

[4:53:45] I just really appreciate that. I come from the nonprofit world.

[4:53:49] I've set on many boards of nonprofits. I've worked with nonprofits across North Fulton and in downtown Atlanta.

[4:53:55] and nonprofits are wonderful. I think they serve the community better because they are

[4:54:00] created by a heart and a passion for the people they serve and the work they do. They're

[4:54:05] not a government organized nonprofit, completely different. And I did reach out when this

[4:54:14] was first put on the agenda. Maybe you've talked with Select Fulton and the development authority

[4:54:19] sense, but I'm like, how does that work? You're supposed to generate business, you're not in the

[4:54:26] nonprofit realm, which is completely contradictory to what the development authority and

[4:54:31] select, pull and do. So with that being said, I love trying to help our seniors,

[4:54:37] St. Vincent DePaul. I love to support organizations, Drake House, places like that,

[4:54:42] that do with the star seniors with rent payments, home placement, if they've been unhoused,

[4:54:50] helping them with home repairs, and helping them pay their taxes.

[4:54:57] So, Arthur Blank, all of them, I am glad it's...

[4:55:00] Tyler Perry paid back taxes one year for seniors. Those are great gestures to do. I encourage the community.

[4:55:09] And I encourage maybe working with a nonprofit and helping that nonprofit raise money by the connections that we have.

[4:55:17] Instead of forming a government nonprofit that we have to manage.

[4:55:21] Thank you.

[4:55:23] All right.

[4:55:24] Thank you very much.

[4:55:24] You want to be heard again?

[4:55:26] Yeah, I just wanted to make one comment.

[4:55:28] I sent on the investment land aboard, as you all know, and that is the city of Atlanta's

[4:55:33] Development Authority.

[4:55:34] And for the record, they actually do have programs that, for example, help residents

[4:55:38] stay in their homes outside of the tabs, nothing to do with that.

[4:55:40] But they have like a legacy resident program.

[4:55:43] So it's not unheard of for development authorities to engage in some of these community-minded

[4:55:48] practices.

[4:55:48] Just wanted to point that out.

[4:55:51] All right.

[4:55:51] The motion on the floor is to deny, let's hope, please.

[4:55:55] And the vote is open.

[4:56:03] And the motion passes for yeas three days.

[4:56:07] All right, let me make a general statement here.

[4:56:12] The next five items.

[4:56:16] And I think there's a merit and probably each of the five.

[4:56:19] But they all have budgetary implications.

[4:56:23] Most of them have some budgetary implications.

[4:56:26] I would, the prudent thing to do with me to wait until we start with the budget in January or at a January.

[4:56:34] But that's just a suggestion for

[4:56:39] which a pleasure. Sound the next thing.

[4:56:42] Just think it makes more sense because they all, for four of the five, have budgetary, general fund budgetary implications.

[4:56:49] Chairman, are you making a motion?

[4:56:50] No, I'm not making a motion.

[4:56:51] I'm not suggesting because I'm not the author of either of the five.

[4:56:57] 25, zero, nine, three, five, request approval of the resolution to affirm the reproductive

[4:57:01] rights that reproductive rights are human rights to condemn the criminalization of abortion

[4:57:08] and related services to urge the Georgia State Legislature to repeal the six-week abortion

[4:57:14] ban that endangers lives and for other purposes, sponsored by Commissioner Barrett.

[4:57:20] All right, the motion of the floor is to approve by Commissioner Barrett, seconded by Commissioner Ivory, and

[4:57:26] Commissioner Barrett, you have the floor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To be clear, there is no budget or money associated, but that's four of the five. I'm just saying.

[4:57:38] All right. Well, folks, we all signed on to a proclamation today honoring human rights

[4:57:45] Human rights days. Excuse me, which is on December 10th.

[4:57:46] And with that timing in mind, I thought it was important to bring this resolution forward to affirm that reproductive rights are human rights.

[4:57:56] And also to stand against the criminalization of women who seek care for miscarriages or the doctors who provide that often lifesaving treatment.

[4:58:05] A 2025 survey of voters living in metro areas across the state of Georgia found that 79% support abortion rights.

[4:58:16] 75% are concerned about criminalization of women having miscarriages.

[4:58:21] Only 9% would support Georgia's current abortion laws if they understood that miscarriage could be investigated and prosecuted.

[4:58:28] And only 16 percent believe that law enforcement should spend any time or resources investigating pregnant people and providers.

[4:58:37] Additionally, 73 percent of the voters surveyed are concerned about women's health and lives being put at risk

[4:58:43] because doctors delay or deny care due to the fear that they will be prosecuted under Georgia's six-week abortion ban.

[4:58:52] In fact, we already have had multiple documented cases of this happening in Metro Atlanta.

[4:59:00] Both Amber Thurman and Candy Miller lost their lives after miscarrying.

[4:59:07] You know, Mayor Dickens often talks about his group project and the goal of making Atlanta

[4:59:13] the best place to raise a child.

[4:59:15] And I think that's a goal that we share across all the full tank counting.

[4:59:18] But we cannot truly be the best place to raise a child if the decision to have a child is putting

[4:59:26] mother's lives at risk.

[4:59:28] And that is the current reality under Georgia's six-week abortion ban.

[4:59:33] Voting us on this resolution today is a strong statement to the women and families of

[4:59:37] Fulton County that you care about their lives and their health.

[4:59:41] So I'm asking for your affirmative vote.

[4:59:43] Commissioner Ivory.

[4:59:45] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[4:59:46] And Commissioner Barrett, thank you for bringing this forward.

[4:59:49] I stand and supported this resolution affirming that reproductive rights are human rights,

[4:59:54] protecting access to essential reproductive care as part of our ongoing commitment to the

[4:59:58] health and well-being of-

[5:00:01] Just last week, we passed a resolution addressing maternal and infant mortality, particularly the staggering rates among black women in our county. The stories of Amber Thurman and Candy Miller are tragic examples of why this focus is so critical. As a black woman, I understand the stakes personally, and I know how disproportionately restrictive policies harm black women and women in marginalized communities. This resolution is an important reaffirmation of our commitment to health equity and human rights.

[5:00:29] I will support this measures that we can send a clear message that Funt and County will continue to defend the health and rights of all women in our community.

[5:00:38] Thank you.

[5:00:39] Commissioner, I'll do a rock line.

[5:00:41] Chairman Pitt, unfortunately for me, I won't be able to support this.

[5:00:48] And the reason why I will not be able to support this, this is this is this is a feel good.

[5:00:54] I want to get my face out there with this, I am pro-choice, I was pro-choice when I walked

[5:01:00] the streets of Washington, D.C. for pro-choice. I was pro-choice when I had several

[5:01:07] people to call my office with no place to live pregnant and need it help. But I do not support

[5:01:17] this because I feel as though other ways that we can not only support women's issues,

[5:01:24] but I take issue with individuals calling me dumb, calling me all these other names and saying

[5:01:32] things, but they want me to support women's, women's issues. If I disagree with you, we can

[5:01:41] agree to disagree and still have respect for each other. I personally don't feel that this

[5:01:48] resolution does anything to change what has happened at the state, but you know what could

[5:01:56] going down there to testify, what could is having conversations with individuals that made the

[5:02:04] that they made, but to use a resolution to gas light, to put out misinformation, to say that if you don't support this, you don't support women's right, you are no different than the maga that is prevalent nowadays that says if you don't see things in my way, you're un-American.

[5:02:29] I'm a woman, I am pro-choice, but this does nothing other than a feel-good or want to be seen

[5:02:39] or want to use it as part of me campaigning because I'm running for chair.

[5:02:44] Now, I say that openly, I'm not going to say what's being said about me out in the street

[5:02:49] because it doesn't matter.

[5:02:50] Innovative can look at my record and know that I have fought for women's issues.

[5:02:55] What I will not fight for is someone using this platform because they can

[5:03:03] to campaign

[5:03:05] To put something feel good forward, but it has no teeth in it. If you want to go down there

[5:03:12] To the state legislator if you want to go testify if you want me to share my own family stories

[5:03:18] I don't have a problem doing that

[5:03:20] But I am always going to agree to disagree respectfully, don't have to call in about out

[5:03:31] their name.

[5:03:31] You don't have to say the, I'm not going to repeat the things they haven't said about

[5:03:38] me when it comes to this.

[5:03:42] So no, I will not support it.

[5:03:44] It does nothing, but make somebody feel good.

[5:03:47] It's not going to move anything at the state legislation on what they have

[5:03:53] as a decision. So I will not respectfully, I will not be supporting this.

[5:04:00] All right, Chris, however you want to be heard. Thank you so much. Records are records and luckily

[5:04:04] they are public and that's something that is so great about being an elected official is that

[5:04:09] you can pull a record and you should. I agree 100% with Commissioner Abdura Rockman that you should pull

[5:04:16] people's records and you should definitely look at the way they are voting. I think that is so important.

[5:04:21] Thank you for that. I think that's a great point that you made. And I remember when I was working for Stacey Abrams, and this was this six week about abortion ban happened. I was down at the legislature. I guess indeed I was and we supported all the women that are pro choice Democratic women that are pro choice vote pro choice. That's how you know that they're pro choice. And that's how you know that they're real Democrats. So when something comes up, that's a pro choice issue. They vote pro choice. So I'm glad.

[5:04:51] to be a black Democratic pro-choice woman that votes pro-choice and I'm glad to support Commission of Barrett.

[5:05:00] In this pro-choice, even if ceremonial, so important for Fulton County to say that this is where we stand on that, and that's what I was taught by my mentors is to do in your votes, what you say you are about.

[5:05:17] Commissioner Barry, do you want to be heard again?

[5:05:20] Yeah.

[5:05:21] I just want to say that with all due respect, Commissioner,

[5:05:27] OptiRachman, you yourself have put urging resolutions up before this board.

[5:05:33] So to say that something is an urging resolution is just for show,

[5:05:38] then I guess that's a practice you two believe in.

[5:05:42] I believe that standing together as a board and making a strong statement as a board with our votes that we affirm reproductive rights, our human rights, and that we condemn criminalization of women and doctors, and that yes, we urge the Georgia State legislature to repeal their devastating six week abortion ban is a strong statement if we all stand together.

[5:06:07] And you yourself have said many times that you vote policy and not, you know, petty nonsense or whatever else.

[5:06:14] This is the, if you object to some of the wording in here, then please by all means bring it up.

[5:06:21] But to object on the basis that it's political is, if you're going to apply that you've got to apply to everything we do.

[5:06:28] We are politicians. We sit here. Everything we do is politics. We do it whether we're running or we're not running.

[5:06:36] So every statement you make on the day us and I make on the day us and the chairman makes on the day is political at some level.

[5:06:42] So this one should not rise above or below any of that.

[5:06:46] It is a statement that women need us to make for them because our rights are being stripped away day by day by day.

[5:06:53] In this moment, in this era under this current federal administration, it is important that we stand up for women.

[5:07:00] And in particular, as we approach international human rights day.

[5:07:05] Can Mr. Thorn, you want to be heard again?

[5:07:08] Yes, thank you.

[5:07:11] So, if you want to talk about wording, you said,

[5:07:14] whereas at least two metro Atlanta women, Amber Thurman,

[5:07:17] and Candy Miller of Arty died is a result of the Georgia Six Week abortion ban.

[5:07:22] While there's a being forced to carry non-viable pregnancies to term.

[5:07:27] Amber Thurman and Candy Miller both took the abortion pill, and they died from complications of the abortion pill.

[5:07:37] It is documented as factual. The state reviewed the death as preventable.

[5:07:44] Therefore, the law did not block treatment. Poor clinical decisions and delay is what caused their death.

[5:07:52] I feel sorry for them, but Kisha Akins, who is from New Mexico, New Mexico has the most

[5:07:59] permissive abortion laws in the United States, and she died similarly from taking the

[5:08:06] abortion pill.

[5:08:08] It's a side effect that septus can occur if you don't fully abort the baby.

[5:08:14] The pill causes you to expel the child.

[5:08:21] I am talking about her statement here that the six-week ban killed.

[5:08:30] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The subject of what we're talking about is whether or not we want to pass this legislation.

[5:08:35] Not the effectiveness of the abortion pill.

[5:08:37] I am talking about her wording because she said, I will order correct wording.

[5:08:45] It's 433. We've got five more pieces of legislation.

[5:08:48] to, and we have a meeting tonight with our legislative delegation.

[5:08:55] We have a capital audience.

[5:08:56] Thank you.

[5:08:57] And thank you.

[5:08:58] I prefer not to be interrupted when I'm trying to argue for wording on this thing.

[5:09:05] Please, please.

[5:09:05] I will say this is divisive and unnecessary.

[5:09:09] I ran on bringing this county together.

[5:09:11] I have Republican friends that are pro-choice.

[5:09:15] This is just a divisive piece of legislation and I would like to talk because I do not want to be

[5:09:22] in a representation down there,

[5:09:27] 429 babies out of 1,000 black babies were afforded in the study in

[5:09:34] 2022, 40% of black children.

[5:09:37] You got it, but you should just be there to do it.

[5:09:39] So it's no wonder this is just keeping the gaggle, you can't just keep cranking the

[5:09:45] rule on the point of order. She said point of order 10 times. You have to rule on the point of order.

[5:09:52] You cannot keep playing in the gabel. You heard me.

[5:10:00] Just a minute. Just a minute. Just a minute. Calm down everybody.

[5:10:07] Commissioner Thorne stick to the legislation.

[5:10:10] I am trying to stick to the wording of the legislation and saying that it is poorly awarded. It's not correct.

[5:10:18] It's fear mongering that this law is killing people. The one lady who she referred to a non-biable pregnancy to term was put on life support.

[5:10:28] And our attorney general car came out and said no,

[5:10:32] once she's on life support,

[5:10:34] the doctors have the right to do whatever they can.

[5:10:36] They don't have to keep the mother on life support

[5:10:38] to save the baby or the clump of cells, whatever you call it.

[5:10:44] So with that being said,

[5:10:45] I mean, this is just not a truthful statement,

[5:10:49] and it should be brought up at the time

[5:10:50] when we discuss our legislative agenda.

[5:10:53] If you wanted on then, that is when we should put it on.

[5:10:56] Not now, not as a divisive urging resolution,

[5:11:01] we put it on as part of our legislative agenda

[5:11:03] during the legislative season.

[5:11:05] This is improper, and I know the block of three,

[5:11:09] they got their block, their block of three,

[5:11:12] they'll vote yes.

[5:11:13] Thank you. All right.

[5:11:14] Motion on the floor is to approve.

[5:11:19] Let's vote.

[5:11:26] And the vote is open.

[5:11:36] And the motion fails, three A's, three NA's.

[5:11:38] Next item. 25 0 9 3 6 because approval resolution to establish a full-ten counting women's

[5:11:46] commission to advise the board of commission on policies, strategies and community partnerships

[5:11:52] that advanced gender equity and address the systemic barriers impacting women and for other purposes.

[5:12:00] All right, motion to a motion to approve.

[5:12:03] by Commissioner Barrett, seconded by Commissioner Ivory,

[5:12:06] Commissioner Barrett, you have the floor.

[5:12:08] Followed by Commissioner Ivory.

[5:12:09] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[5:12:13] First of all, just for the record, this does not have any

[5:12:15] costs associated with it either.

[5:12:19] Women's commissions are not a new idea.

[5:12:23] They began forming in the early 1960s after the President's

[5:12:26] Commission on the Status of Women,

[5:12:28] chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt issued the landmark

[5:12:30] American Women Report.

[5:12:32] The report identified systemic discrimination faced by women in employment, education, public

[5:12:38] life, and access to services, and it recommended permanent commissions be established

[5:12:43] at all levels of government.

[5:12:45] Since then, approximately 160 women's commissions have been established most at the county

[5:12:50] and city levels.

[5:12:52] Georgia established its state-wide commission on women in 1992, Atlanta founded its women's

[5:12:59] commission in 2000, and to cab county started the process of forming theirs this year.

[5:13:05] Chairman, you always say, the Fulton County is a big deal and that we lead in so many areas

[5:13:10] and so we should continue to demonstrate that leadership through a creation of a women's

[5:13:14] commission here in Fulton County. Women have come a long way since Eleanor Roosevelt's

[5:13:19] Day, but we still have a long way to go. Today women's rights are still not guaranteed

[5:13:24] by the U.S. Constitution or the Georgia Constitution. While women make up over 50% of the population,

[5:13:30] we are still vastly underrepresented in government and at the highest levels in business.

[5:13:37] In Georgia, women still earn only 88 cents for every dollar a man makes even though they're

[5:13:43] more highly educated and that number is way worse for black women who only earn 62 cents for every dollar

[5:13:49] man makes. Women also face disproportionate health risks and inequities. As commissioner

[5:13:56] I have already pointed out and as we all voted on last week a Georgia's maternal mortality

[5:14:00] rate is among the highest in the nation and three times worse for black women. So what I'm

[5:14:05] asking for today is that we establish a women's commission for Fulton County that will advise

[5:14:09] us on policies, strategies and community partnerships that best address gender inequity and

[5:14:16] systemic barriers that impact women. I would very much appreciate your favorable vote.

[5:14:21] All right, Commissioner Ivory.

[5:14:24] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I support the idea of establishing a full-en County Women's

[5:14:28] Commission to address systemic barriers in advanced gender equity. I think it's an important

[5:14:33] initiative. I'm looking forward to seeing how this will play itself out. I can't understand

[5:14:38] why anybody would not want to be in support of creating a Women's Commission. There is no

[5:14:45] money that is attached to this, it would seem odd that any woman on this commission would

[5:14:51] vote against this, because this is one area where we should all be able to agree because

[5:14:57] as far as I know, we are all women.

[5:15:00] And this doesn't have anything to do with anything politically, but that maybe we could actually get together, talk to each other, and do something great as the women of this commission, because there's one, two, three, four of us, and I, you know, just by that chuckle and that immaturity, I already know what the vote is going to be, but watch everybody.

[5:15:23] You're watching this. You see this. How could there be anything wrong with a woman's

[5:15:29] commission that four women on this commission could work on together? So thank you

[5:15:33] commissioner Barrett for bringing this up. I think it's a great idea and I look forward to

[5:15:37] being able to work with you on it.

[5:15:38] I'm Patricia Thorne.

[5:15:41] I'll just say there is a cost. There is a cost of setting up a task force that has

[5:15:47] that uses county staff that uses county time.

[5:15:50] We're assigning that the county manager here

[5:15:54] just to assign a department that will be under it

[5:15:57] and run it, so we're giving added responsibilities

[5:16:00] and jobs to our already busy county staff

[5:16:04] as we're asking to real back things as well.

[5:16:09] I really kind of feel like a women's commission

[5:16:11] would be great under our county health department

[5:16:15] If it was to be formed under there, ask them if they'd be willing to set up a women's commission.

[5:16:23] That here at the county level, I just don't think we need to put tell our county departments to trim their budgets.

[5:16:31] But here we're going to give you one more added responsibility to do, manage a women's commission.

[5:16:36] And I'm sure this women's commission will, I don't know if the one million they input on that if that's tied together as well.

[5:16:44] there's a reason that that's on the agenda,

[5:16:47] afterwards, but perhaps Commissioner Barrett, you can let me know.

[5:16:51] Commissioner Barrett.

[5:16:52] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[5:16:53] Yes, Commissioner Thorne, first of all,

[5:16:55] just to make a correction.

[5:16:56] There's no department being set up.

[5:16:58] There's all that's asking the county manager to do

[5:17:00] is to assign whoever he wants to assign to help with their meetings

[5:17:04] in the same way that we have a staff member

[5:17:05] help with the task force, reparations task work meetings

[5:17:09] or any of the other boards, commissions and authorities

[5:17:11] that we appoint people to.

[5:17:12] So it's not, we're talking about a couple of hours

[5:17:14] of somebody's time, not full-time staff or not any of that.

[5:17:18] This would be just like any of our other board's commissions, et cetera, and while I appreciate

[5:17:22] your suggestion about the Board of Health, the goal of this is not health is one area.

[5:17:28] The whole point of this is that the Women's Commission, who will all have members appointed

[5:17:32] by each of us, will come together and decide what are the biggest issues that we should be working

[5:17:37] on.

[5:17:37] And they may have nothing to do with health at all.

[5:17:40] I mean, they may want to work solely on, you know, workplace discrimination or pay inequity.

[5:17:47] So really, it's not a health, it's a broad women's commission to address all inequities for women, not just health inequities of which there are many.

[5:17:56] And to, what was the last question you asked about the, the next item on the agenda, which is the Healthy Women Healthy Families grant program,

[5:18:04] If approved, then this body would serve as the approval body, but that's in the same way

[5:18:11] that the Veterans Commission serves as the approval body if we approve the million-dollar

[5:18:15] veterans funding.

[5:18:16] So again, just following the model that we've already followed here for many other boards

[5:18:23] and commissions.

[5:18:24] And if for some reason, this didn't pass, but the Healthy Women Healthy Families Grant

[5:18:29] did pass, then I would leave it to the County Manager to figure out who the approval team

[5:18:33] should be for those grants, but if it is the women's commission, then we all essentially

[5:18:38] have, you know, through our proxies, votes on that.

[5:18:43] All right, commission, I have to rock bond.

[5:18:44] Thank you, Chairman.

[5:18:46] People can have a difference of opinion without calling people out of their name, and I would

[5:18:52] just ask this board if they can just make sure that they don't call people out their name

[5:18:58] just because they can.

[5:18:59] we are all can agree to disagree and you don't have to think to the level or

[5:19:05] call it somebody at their name because you disagree with them.

[5:19:09] News Flash I was a woman when I woke up this morning I would be a woman when I go

[5:19:13] to be at tonight. So my femininity and me being a woman is not tied to this. Thank you.

[5:19:22] All right, the motion on the floor is to approve.

[5:19:26] Let's vote please, just for the record.

[5:19:29] You referenced that, instead of Atlanta,

[5:19:31] it was my legislation by the way.

[5:19:33] I didn't know.

[5:19:34] Well, I'm just for the information.

[5:19:35] Yeah.

[5:19:36] I will also say this before we vote.

[5:19:40] It's not necessary.

[5:19:41] You can set up, I have a woman's commission,

[5:19:44] out of my office, it was not approved by the board.

[5:19:46] That's advising me on women's issues.

[5:19:48] So it's really not necessary to come before the board.

[5:19:51] that is up to the board. Let's vote.

[5:19:55] And the vote is open.

[5:20:02] And the motion fails, 3a's, 3 abstention.

[5:20:05] Next item.

[5:20:07] 25, 097, request approval of a resolution to establish a healthy women, healthy families grant program in

[5:20:14] Fulton County to provide $1 million in annual funding for the grant program to fund organizations,

[5:20:20] focused on improving women's health outcomes and ensuring access to quality care, sponsored by

[5:20:26] Commission of Air.

[5:20:27] most into approval by Commissioner Barrett, seconded by Commissioner Arrington.

[5:20:34] Commissioner Abdul-Rachman, follow up, Mr. Barrett, you have the floor.

[5:20:39] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[5:20:46] As we all know, we're still facing an overall health care emergency

[5:20:50] in Fulton County following the closure of the two Walstar hospitals. As you all know, those

[5:20:56] closures further exacerbated the health inequities we had all along in Fulton County,

[5:21:00] which include poor health outcomes for women, especially black women, across a variety of health issues.

[5:21:07] That was all pointed out in the project care study that we had and has been talked about many times.

[5:21:13] So what I'm proposing today with this resolution is a $1 million healthy women, healthy families grant program,

[5:21:20] to fund nonprofit organizations that are focused on everything from women's cancers, like breast cancer and ovarian cancer,

[5:21:26] to heart disease, which is the leading cost of death for women in Georgia, to domestic violence,

[5:21:32] to reproductive and maternal health. Women, as you know, tend to be primary caregivers.

[5:21:40] So, healthier women translate into healthier children, more stable households, and better

[5:21:45] educational outcomes.

[5:21:48] While $1 million won't magically address all of these issues, it will

[5:21:52] make a difference to non-profit organizations who may have already lost federal funding, and

[5:21:57] it will make a difference to the women those organizations serve.

[5:22:01] And while it sounds like a lot of money, with over 1.1 million residents, a $1 million

[5:22:06] fund equates to 88 cents per resident, I think women and families are worth that.

[5:22:12] And here's the thing, according to the World Economic Forum, for every dollar invested in women's

[5:22:17] health, $3 are generated in economic benefits and growth.

[5:22:21] So from where I sit, spending $1 million on women's health,

[5:22:25] $1 million on women's health is a far better investment

[5:22:28] than giving a tax break to a data center.

[5:22:33] The women of Fulton County have the right to be healthy

[5:22:35] and they are a great investment.

[5:22:38] So please remember that when you cast your vote.

[5:22:41] To be sure I'll be right, fine.

[5:22:43] Thank you, Chairman.

[5:22:44] And Chairman, you may stop me.

[5:22:46] I hope that you won't.

[5:22:48] Because I need to have a transparent moment

[5:22:51] with the listening audience.

[5:22:56] This body appropriated and approved $250,000 a while ago

[5:23:03] to the Safe Center in South Fulton.

[5:23:10] The Safe Center is the area that you can go in

[5:23:15] And anyone can use it at Bannocker High School.

[5:23:21] They can go in and get food,

[5:23:23] they can go in and get the odorant,

[5:23:26] detergent, lotion, toothpaste, mouth wash,

[5:23:31] they can go in and get clothes.

[5:23:34] Now, the make of this,

[5:23:36] vote it to define that $250,000.

[5:23:42] which I took issue with this is no secret she's aware aware of it. I was called to the

[5:23:48] principals excuse me. I was called to the chairman's office. To have a discussion about it,

[5:23:55] which I was crystal clear that how can I just admit it, commissioner. I'll be right. What's

[5:24:02] important? This is not relevant to the motion on the floor. I'll continue with the, keep your

[5:24:08] It is chairman because I am given a reason why I am not supporting this because Commissioner

[5:24:16] Barrett knows we had a discussion that she would support reinstating that $250,000 back to

[5:24:28] If she wanted my support for this, there was an understanding and there was an agreement.

[5:24:37] I don't see anything on this agenda that speaks to putting that $250,000 back to students,

[5:24:49] to grandparents, to foster children, or any of those that get served by that safe center.

[5:24:55] And so what I'm saying publicly, four.

[5:25:00] The listening audience chairman, I cannot support this until Commissioner Barrett does what she and I had a conversation

[5:25:10] in your office about in reference to how do you under unfund students who are here, how do

[5:25:19] you unfund young ladies who don't have hygiene products, how do you unfund grandparents at

[5:25:28] Bannaker, and then you won't support for this.

[5:25:31] I cannot support this in good conscious.

[5:25:33] All right, Chris, the bearer, you have the floor.

[5:25:36] Well, I must have a time machine

[5:25:38] because I don't see how I could have possibly

[5:25:40] had a conversation with you to make some kind of a trade

[5:25:42] about legislation that I was going to write two years

[5:25:44] in the future from one that conversation occurred,

[5:25:46] which is, by the way, being completely mischaracterized.

[5:25:49] So this is new legislation.

[5:25:52] The idea for it came about this year, in the last several months,

[5:25:55] It has nothing to do with anything that's happened before and you yourself have said many times that you don't

[5:26:01] You don't vote about with people or pettiness and you're about the policy only so either you believe in the policy of creating a million-dollar grant fund for women's health or you don't

[5:26:10] But to blame it on some conversation that we allegedly had two years ago and some

[5:26:17] Me going back on my word, which is not my characterization of what happened at all is

[5:26:23] ridiculous, are we going to, is that going to be the case for every single piece of legislation I bring up with the rest of my term?

[5:26:29] That because somehow we had a miscommunication about something two years ago that everything I put up from now on, you will never agree to whether it's great policy or not.

[5:26:39] All right, it is.

[5:26:41] For 51, we have a meeting with our legislative delegation at 6 o'clock and it's going to take about 20 minutes to get there.

[5:26:48] Vice Chair, I'll let you have the floor.

[5:26:51] Thanks, Mr. Chair.

[5:26:51] I just would go and record to say that I'm not in support of women's health and health

[5:26:57] families for darn sure and but I don't think from a public policy standpoint, this is

[5:27:03] the best way to make use of taxpayer money to have an impact on those issues.

[5:27:10] I think we've demonstrated and we've done a lot as a county when it comes to providing

[5:27:16] for those gaps that we've seen in healthcare, and I think that's the kind of process that

[5:27:22] we could continue to follow in terms of identifying what those are, as well as determining

[5:27:29] how we will fund those in a way that are going to have their maximum impact. And I think

[5:27:34] that comes through things like we are work with grade E to work to establish a hospital in South

[5:27:41] starting with the opening of this emergency department followed by the desire to have a hospital

[5:27:47] bill there. That comes from working with two entities that we provide funding funding

[5:27:52] to, the Board of Health, Grady, as well as some of the stuff that we do on the behavioral

[5:27:59] health side. And having those various entities in those, you know, collaborate with each other,

[5:28:06] Identify situations where we could establish programs, fund them, and have a meaningful impact that we can measure.

[5:28:13] And I think that's the way we go about getting health outcomes.

[5:28:16] And I just respectfully just not think that a million dollar grant program,

[5:28:22] if from a public policy standpoint, is the thing that's going to move the needle when it comes to terms of changing health outcomes in our county.

[5:28:31] Thank you.

[5:28:32] All right, motion on the floor is to approve. Let's vote.

[5:28:37] And the vote is open,

[5:28:46] and the motion fails 3A's, 3A's, 1 abstention.

[5:28:50] Next item.

[5:28:52] 25, 0, 9, 3, 8.

[5:28:54] We request approval of Resolution of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners,

[5:28:57] Establishment and Program to provide funding to non-profit and other community services organizations

[5:29:03] to carry out programs and services for individuals who come into contact with the Fulton County Justice System.

[5:29:10] Directing the county manager to establish necessary policies and procedures for the program.

[5:29:15] Directing the county manager and director finance to designate no less than $3 million

[5:29:20] for the program for fiscal year 2026. Sponsored by Commissioner Ivory.

[5:29:26] All right, motion to approve. Commissioner Ivory, seconded by Commissioner

[5:29:29] Barrett, Commissioner Ivory, you have the floor.

[5:29:31] Thanks, Mr. Chairman, and I want my colleagues to know that I'm bringing this forward in the effort

[5:29:36] to help with our justice partners with our jail population.

[5:29:41] So it is not just money, I'm thinking that wouldn't be used to further what we already

[5:29:47] need to do.

[5:29:47] So this program is modeled on the grant structure we use for arts and culture.

[5:29:51] It provides dedicated funding to non-profit and community organizations that serve residents

[5:29:56] interacting with the floating county justice system.

[5:29:59] These organizations.

[5:30:00] Relations, help residents navigate the system, access services, and resolve their issues efficiently.

[5:30:05] Groups like Atlanta Legal Aid, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and the ACLU of Georgia are just

[5:30:10] examples of the many organizations doing critical work that relieves pressure on our overburdened

[5:30:15] courts. This funding allows them to continue providing these services, ensuring residents

[5:30:19] get timely support and access to justice. The way the program will work is that the justice partners,

[5:30:24] the departments and agencies within the Fulton County Justice System will jointly receive

[5:30:28] and evaluate proposals from eligible organizations.

[5:30:32] They will make recommendations to the board and the board will make the final approval

[5:30:35] for funding awards.

[5:30:37] This ensures that organizations selected are truly meeting the needs of residents while

[5:30:41] aligning with the priorities of our phone and county justice system.

[5:30:44] This is a fiscal responsible and strategic investment supporting these organizations now reduces

[5:30:49] court backlogs, expands access to services, and saves the county money in the long run.

[5:30:54] Without the support, we would either have to cover these services ourselves on a higher

[5:30:58] or leave gaps in support for residents and navigating the justice system.

[5:31:02] $3 million is a relatively modest investment considering the scope and impact of the work these organizations provide.

[5:31:08] With federal grants shrinking for these providers, this program ensures we step into maintain continuity of services,

[5:31:14] protect residents access to justice and strengthen trust in our county system.

[5:31:18] Thank you.

[5:31:19] Thank you.

[5:31:20] Vice chair, Alice.

[5:31:24] Thanks, Mr. Chair.

[5:31:25] You know, like some of the same comments that just made that, you know, from a public policy standpoint, I don't think that this type of funding is going to have that material of impact versus

[5:31:39] resources ordering ourselves and having our justice system function in certain ways.

[5:31:45] And I also will say this that we just heard and we went through a budgetary discussion

[5:31:53] and where we know that we have had to put certain constraints on ask for funding of our core

[5:32:00] services.

[5:32:02] So knowing that, and then adding an additional $3 million on top of that, which, which

[5:32:09] If you had it, you would apply to strengthen core services.

[5:32:13] It's contradictory.

[5:32:16] You know, we all have things which we could bring forward,

[5:32:20] which look great on paper and sound great,

[5:32:23] and they're all well-intentioned.

[5:32:25] But at the same time, we've got to run a government.

[5:32:29] We've got to function and provide core services.

[5:32:33] And to me, this does not get it those things.

[5:32:37] And instead, this vote, bringing items like this forward and pushing them through instead of the votes for increased property taxes, not strengthly in our core services, more gentrification, they get harder to buy at home in our infant accounting, and ultimately knowing what we know is physically irresponsible to bring forward.

[5:32:59] So I will not be supporting this and we'll offer a substitute motion to deny.

[5:33:04] Second.

[5:33:04] All right, substitute motion to deny, substitute motion by Vice Chair, seconded by Commissioner

[5:33:11] Abdue Rockman, Commissioner Barrett, you have the floor on the most substitute motion

[5:33:17] to deny.

[5:33:18] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[5:33:20] Commissioner Ivory, I certainly understand the reasoning behind trying to put this together.

[5:33:28] I would have preferred more time to have some discussion around it.

[5:33:33] You know, I think my only, I think there is money that we have in the budget that's without even increasing further to do some of these smaller things that are a million two million three million.

[5:33:48] Well, I again realize that's a lot of money. It's like 0.00 something of our actual budget.

[5:33:53] But I say all that because I think, you know, we have 35 million in enhancement requests from the justice partners that have not been addressed and I think like the 140 million or something from the sheriff.

[5:34:11] And so I guess my preference is if we could carve 3 million out for justice, I would rather see it go to things like the

[5:34:23] I'd love to see the Board of Equalsation get their pay raises, the seniors who work so hard,

[5:34:28] doing that work, and we haven't agreed yet to increase their pay to $150 a day.

[5:34:34] The $2 million is in the enhanced for our request for the Diaz Domestic Violence Family Justice Center,

[5:34:40] which I think is a very worthy investment.

[5:34:44] And there are a couple of others.

[5:34:46] So I think, you know, while again, while I very much appreciate the intent, I feel like we should be looking

[5:34:50] at all of the requests that the Justice Department just as partners have already brought forward, but, again, I appreciate it.

[5:34:58] Hi, David.

[5:35:00] The motion in such a motion is to deny, let's hope, and this one just as a previous one, I think

[5:35:06] should be more appropriately taken up during the 26th budget. They both have merit from

[5:35:10] my perspective.

[5:35:12] And the vote is open,

[5:35:21] and the motion passes, 48, 2, nays, 1 abstention. Next item.

[5:35:28] On page 12, 25, 0, 9, 3, 9, and crest approval resolution by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners

[5:35:35] reporting, it's ability to govern local affairs and urging the Georgia General Assembly to

[5:35:41] preserve the board of commissioners, involvement, and matters affecting Fulton County residents.

[5:35:47] Sponsor by Commissioner Iberley.

[5:35:49] All right, most into approval by Commissioner Iberley, seconded by Commissioner Barrett,

[5:35:53] Commissioner Iberley, you have the floor.

[5:35:55] Thank you, Mr Chairman.

[5:35:56] This resolution is just about preserving the authority of Fulton County to govern our local

[5:36:01] affairs, keeping decisions as close to our communities as possible.

[5:36:04] Local governance gives us the flexibility and insight to respond directly to the needs of our residents, ensuring accountability, transparency and responsiveness.

[5:36:14] As the Julia elected board of commissioners, the people accountable to our constituents, we are in the best position to make decisions that reflect our residents' values and concerns.

[5:36:22] If the state restricts or overrides our discretion over local matters, it risks imposing policies that may not reflect the needs or expectations of phone and counties diverse communities.

[5:36:31] We are asking my colleagues in the State Legislative

[5:36:34] to preserve the board's role in local governance

[5:36:36] and to oppose efforts that would eliminate

[5:36:38] or significantly reduce our authority.

[5:36:40] This is up about protecting local control over key issues,

[5:36:44] such as county services, development decisions,

[5:36:46] public health and safety policies, elections,

[5:36:49] spending decisions, and more.

[5:36:51] In short, this resolution of firms

[5:36:52] that faults in county through its elected board

[5:36:54] should remain the decision-making for matters

[5:36:56] that most likely affect the lives of our residents

[5:36:59] and urge the State Legislative to respect

[5:37:01] that responsibility. Thank you.

[5:37:04] All right, Commissioner Thorne.

[5:37:07] So what's the, can I ask you, Commissioner Ivey, what's the

[5:37:10] impetus for this legislation?

[5:37:14] Local control.

[5:37:16] But is there a reason?

[5:37:19] That we keep low because of the state of our nation right now.

[5:37:23] There's many decisions that I mentioned, for example,

[5:37:27] in here I mentioned such as county services,

[5:37:30] development decisions, public health and safety, elections, spending decisions, and more.

[5:37:35] And we hear more residents and more constituencies, days asking to understand about our local

[5:37:40] control and that's why I'm doing it.

[5:37:42] Does it have to do with the elections with appointment of board members?

[5:37:48] It has to do with county services, development decisions, public health and safety policies,

[5:37:53] elections, spending decisions, and more as we're in in the resolution?

[5:37:56] So, it's just elections spending decisions.

[5:38:01] It has to do it such as county services, development decisions, public health and safety policies,

[5:38:05] elections spending decisions, and more.

[5:38:08] Exitions.

[5:38:09] So, yes, I think the emphasis is just to overall the law that's going to come down that's

[5:38:16] going to standardize our elections across the state, which we all use the same voting equipment,

[5:38:21] the same voting methods, and it's up to the Secretary of State to make sure that our

[5:38:29] elections are performed uniformly across the state. So the state has all authority

[5:38:35] to pass laws that make our elections uniform across the state. So I think that that is

[5:38:42] the true trigger for this resolution, and I just simply cannot vote for it because I feel

[5:38:51] like there's nothing that's really come up that we don't have our local control over.

[5:38:59] And I believe in giving the cities the local control.

[5:39:03] They're the ones who are the most closest to the people, except when it comes to elections.

[5:39:07] I believe that elections should be uniform across the state.

[5:39:10] And our city should be run.

[5:39:12] Our county should be run the same as Gwynette County and counties of equal size.

[5:39:16] And that the laws should be uniform and partisan officials, like us, should not be in there to dictate and vote how our elections are done.

[5:39:28] All right.

[5:39:28] Motion on the floor is to approve.

[5:39:31] Let's vote please.

[5:39:32] And the vote is open.

[5:39:43] And the motion fails.

[5:39:44] Three A's.

[5:39:45] Two days.

[5:39:45] One abstention.

[5:39:46] All right.

[5:39:47] 504.

[5:39:47] Next item.

[5:39:48] 25.

[5:39:49] 0.

[5:39:49] was zero across the approval of resolution by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners,

[5:39:53] approving the purchase of automated external defibrillators for the use by the Fulton County Police Department.

[5:40:01] Okay, this would allow for the purchase of approximately 40 AEDs to be used. Each one of our police

[5:40:12] vehicles would have one and they would be in the office and would be trained to help save lives.

[5:40:18] And the source of funds here is up to $250,000, not from the general fund, but from the opioid

[5:40:24] settlement fund, which is a specific use of that money. So I would like to ask for your approval.

[5:40:33] There's a motion to approve, I can wish Dr. Rock Lines, seconded by Commissioner Thorne.

[5:40:38] Commissioner Alice?

[5:40:40] Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm in support of it. If I did, I just, just so we're all on

[5:40:45] solid ground on this, I know that these settlement money has specific purposes for which

[5:40:50] it can be used. I'm sure you've run this through, but I just want somebody to go and

[5:40:54] staff from record that they looked at this and this is a proper use for funds coming out

[5:41:01] of that.

[5:41:02] Thank you for the question, Vice Chair.

[5:41:05] So under the opioid settlement eligible uses, AEDs are permissible as a harm reduction mechanism.

[5:41:12] All right.

[5:41:12] Thank you.

[5:41:13] All right.

[5:41:14] Let's vote, please.

[5:41:16] And the vote is open.

[5:41:21] And the motion pass is unanimously.

[5:41:23] All right.

[5:41:24] Any other matters to come before us today?

[5:41:26] No further item.

[5:41:26] All right, before we adjourn and remind her, we're meeting with our legislative delegation at six o'clock, where is it open hand and hope to see everybody there for a few minutes, anyway.

[5:41:39] Without further objection, any objection, we adjourn.

[5:41:41] Thank you.

[5:41:45] Or a written transcript of this meeting, or if you need reasonable accommodations including this communication in an alternative format due to disability, please contact the clerk to the Commission's office.

[5:41:57] at 404-612-8232.

[5:42:29] Or the social butterflies.

[5:42:32] So represent how we help people revolutionize and change.

[5:42:36] And it's been fun. This has been 2025.

[5:42:38] And we have a good time.

[5:42:40] It's good.

[5:42:41] It's good.

[5:42:41] It's good. It's good.

[5:42:42] It's good.

[5:42:43] Yeah.

[5:42:47] And we have some good exercise.

[5:42:49] And indeed.

[5:42:49] It's good.

Board of Commissioners on 2025-12-03 10:00 AM

Agenda

Transcript