Fulton County asks cities to return to mediation over sales tax distribution

Reporter Newspapers — Fulton County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts shared a letter he sent to the county’s 15 mayors stating the county wished to return to mediation over distribution of local option sales tax (LOST) revenue. The county and city negotiators last attended a mediation session on Oct. 7, but no agreement on how the sales … Read more

Atlanta Mayor joins city bloc, “gravely concerned” over sales tax stalemate

Appen Newspapers — Mayors from 12 Fulton County cities gathered in Atlanta Monday to share growing concerns over negotiations with the county to reach an agreement on the distribution of countywide sales tax revenue. Speaking before a backdrop of firetrucks from Atlanta, South Fulton and Sandy Springs, the mayors said hopes of a resolution continue … Read more

Mayors, Fulton County far apart in sales tax negotiations

Reporter Newspapers — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens called the Fulton County Commissioners’ negotiating position with its cities on the division of sales tax “irresponsible and reckless” during a Tuesday press conference. Dickens said the county’s demand for a larger portion of local options sales tax (LOST) funds could force the cities to cut public safety … Read more

In mayors vs. Fulton fight, both sides say they need tax revenue for essential services

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and fellow mayors representing 15 cities in Fulton County remain at odds with county officials over how to divide local option sales tax revenue. Dickens, leading a press conference outside the Atlanta Civic Center on Monday, said he believes Fulton has been insincere in mediation negotiations on … Read more

Fulton mayors: County’s money grab unacceptable, devastating 

Having offered Fulton County negotiators a 43 percent increase in what the county collects from Local Option Sales Tax dollars, Fulton’s 15 cities ended negotiations for Friday when the county countered with a ridiculous proposal that demanded $550 million – a $341 million or 163 percent increase over what the county would collect under the … Read more

East Point, Sandy Springs mayors talk LOST revenues as Fulton cities negotiate funding share

WABE — On this edition of “Closer Look,” Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul and East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham discuss the collective grievances of Fulton County mayors in terms of how shares of the county’s local option sales tax (LOST) revenues will be divvied up. “What the county is asking us to give up … Read more