Fulton County Board of Commissioners Meeting Notes – April 2, 2025

Action Items

Reach out to Commissioner Ellis to answer any remaining questions and provide a one-page summary on the payroll deduction for employee organizations process.
Provide a further analysis of the total number of vacant county positions, including those vacant for periods longer than 12 months.

Overview

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting on April 2, 2025, covered several key items. The consent agenda was approved unanimously, including a $246,480 cooperative agreement for temporary staffing services. Proclamations recognized the achievements of local basketball teams from Best Academy, Tri-Cities High School, and Creekside High School. The board approved various contracts and budget adjustments, including a $794,000 proposal for Johns Creek environmental campus membrane system replacement and a $2,389,000 renovation for airport administrative air. A reorganization plan for accountability courts was presented, aiming to consolidate services under Superior Court Administration, with a budget-neutral impact. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners discussed a reorganization plan aimed at improving services without disrupting current schedules. They highlighted the benefits of better communication and streamlined treatment processes. The board also addressed the recognition of the Georgia Federation of Public Service Employees, noting the need for a 50%+1% membership and a revised ordinance. They reviewed 800 vacant positions, noting 41 long-term vacancies with a $2.1 million value, now reduced to eight. The board approved various requests for representation and settlement authority, with some motions passing unanimously and others with minor dissent.

Transcript

https://otter.ai/u/zy8Z21zoOz8Fh6MMlvz6H-4wlE0?view=summary

Outline

Opening and Initial Proceedings

Speaker 1 welcomes everyone to the first regular meeting of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on April 2, 2025, at 10 o’clock.
Speaker 12 calls the roll, confirming the presence of all commissioners: Chairman Rob Pitts, Commissioner Bridget Thorne, Vice Chairman Bob Ellis, Commissioner Dana Barrett, Commissioner Mo Ivory, Commissioner Marvin Arrington, Junior, and Commissioner Khadija Abdul Rahman.
Speaker 1 requests the invocation and the pledge of allegiance, which are led by an unknown speaker and Speaker 21, respectively.
Speaker 12 introduces the consent agenda, which includes routine matters to be enacted by one motion. Commissioner Ivory requests to move two of her board appointments to a later date.

Consent Agenda and Meeting Agenda Adoption

Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended, moved by Commissioner Barrett and seconded by Commissioner Thorne. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 12 introduces the first regular meeting agenda, noting two items to be revised: updating the requested action for a cooperative agreement and revising a public works item to include a not to exceed amount of $794,000.
Speaker 12 updates the requested action for a cooperative agreement to provide temporary staffing services in an amount of $246,480.
Speaker 12 revises a public works item to include a not to exceed amount of $794,000 for the recommended proposal for the progressive design bill for Johns Creek environmental campus membrane system replacement.

Proclamations and Public Comment

Speaker 12 introduces the first proclamation recognizing Best Academy Varsity Boys Basketball Championship Appreciation Day, but notes that the team has not arrived yet.
Speaker 1 introduces the next proclamation recognizing Tri Cities High School Varsity Boys Basketball Championship Appreciation Day, highlighting the team’s achievements and the leadership of Coach Omari Forts.
Speaker 25, the district commissioner of Tri Cities, congratulates the team and emphasizes the importance of young men of color making their mark.
Speaker 12 introduces the next proclamation recognizing Best Academy Varsity Boys Basketball Championship Appreciation Day, highlighting the team’s achievements and the leadership of Coach Brian Whedon.

Recognition of Creekside High School Girls Basketball Team

Speaker 25 introduces the next proclamation recognizing Creekside High School Girls Basketball Championship Appreciation Day, highlighting the team’s achievements and the leadership of Coach Akeema Ellis.
Speaker 28, the athletic director at Creekside, thanks the commissioners and staff for the opportunity to recognize the team and emphasizes the importance of supporting girls’ basketball.
Speaker 12 introduces the public comment portion of the meeting, noting that priority will be given to Fulton County citizens and those representing businesses or organizations within Fulton County.
Speaker 29, Jay Wesley Day, asks for justice regarding his treatment by the Fulton County judicial system and the retaliation he has faced.
Walter Reeves, workers’ representative and Atlanta mayoral candidate, discusses the ongoing crisis at the Social Security Administration and the need for public servants to prepare for potential hardships.

Finance and Human Resources Approvals

Speaker 3, the CFO, presents two items for approval: a vendor name change for East Civics Company and a spending authority increase for a company providing server virtualization software.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to adopt the finance presentation, moved by Vice Chair Ellis and seconded by Commissioner Thorne. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve a cooperative agreement for temporary accounting staffing services, moved by Vice Chair Ellis and seconded by Commissioner Thorne. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve a recommended proposal for comprehensive FMLA administration, moved by Commissioner Abdul Rahman and seconded by Commissioner Thorne. The motion passes unanimously.

Public Works and Health and Human Services Approvals

Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve the lowest responsible bidder for renovation of airport administrative air, moved by Commissioner Ivory and seconded by Commissioner Barrett. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve the lowest responsible bidder for janitorial services for selected Fulton County facilities, moved by Commissioner Abdul Rahman and seconded by Commissioner Thorne. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve a recommended proposal for bus and shuttle services for Fulton County employees and jurors, moved by Commissioner Barrett and seconded by Commissioner Thorne. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve an increase in spending authority for swimming pool maintenance services, moved by Commissioner Ivory and seconded by Commissioner Thorne. The motion passes unanimously.

Justice and Safety Approvals

Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve a recommended proposal for the progressive design bill for the Johns Creek environmental campus membrane system replacement, moved by Commissioner Thorne and seconded by Commissioner Abdul Rahman. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve the lowest responsible bidder for runway 826 payment rehabilitation, moved by Commissioner Thorne and seconded by Commissioner Ellis. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve the use of corporate purchasing for inspection and repair services for a helicopter, moved by Commissioner Ivory and seconded by Commissioner Barrett. The motion passes unanimously.
Speaker 1 entertains a motion to approve a resolution consenting to and ratifying the use of existing Fulton County ad valorem property tax increment for three projects located in West Side tax allocation district, moved by Commissioner Barrett and seconded by Commissioner Arrington. Vice Chair Ellis offers a substitute motion to hold the resolution for further information. The motion to hold passes with five yeas and two nays.

External Affairs and Superior Court Administration Presentations

Speaker 11 provides an update on the 2025 state legislative session, highlighting key bills and their status, including the North Fulton behavioral health crisis center funding and the digital court reporting bill.
Speaker 13 and Chief Judge Taylor present a reorganization plan for Fulton County Superior Courts, Accountability Court, State Courts, Recovery Treatment Court, and Magistrate Courts, emphasizing the consolidation of staff services and operations under Superior Court Administration.
Speaker 15 outlines the purpose and goals of the reorganization, the organizational structure, budget changes, service locations, timeline, and benefits, including increased operational efficiency and reduced case processing times.
Commissioners express their support for the reorganization, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and the potential for improved outcomes for participants in the accountability courts.

Reorganization Plan and Communication Improvements

Speaker 15 discusses the reorganization plan aimed at minimizing disruptions and increasing services for participants.
Speaker 14 highlights the benefits of improved communication, noting better handling of drug use cases and streamlined treatment processes.
Speaker 16 hopes for positive press about the changes in Fulton County courts.
Speaker 19 mentions the Council of Accountability Court Judges newsletter as a platform to share the innovation.

Discussion on Union Recognition and Process

Speaker 1 introduces the topic of union recognition and the need for a revised resolution.
Speaker 20 explains the process required by the county ordinance for union recognition, including the need for a 50%+1% membership.
The cost analysis for setting up payroll deductions for the union is discussed, including setup costs and potential revenue.
Speaker 20 mentions the need for the union to be registered with the Secretary of State and the potential for ordinance modifications.

Debate on Union Recognition and Competition

Speaker 25 questions the need for a single word change in the ordinance and supports the process to streamline it.
The potential competition among unions and the need for coordination among different union groups is discussed.
Speaker 25 suggests talking to other unions to understand their positions and avoid competition.
Speaker 8 inquires about the timeline for moving the process forward and requests a summary sheet for interim research.

Analysis of Vacant Positions and Budget Impact

Speaker 1 asks for a breakdown of vacant positions by duration and their impact on the budget.
Speaker 20 provides an update on the number of vacant positions and the reduction in the number of long-term vacant positions.
Speaker 25 emphasizes the need to consider the reasons for vacant positions, such as pay and working conditions.
The potential impact of federal funding cuts on vacant positions and the need for competitive salaries is discussed.

Executive Session and Approval of Representations

Speaker 1 announces the recess for lunch and the items to be discussed in Executive Session, including real estate, litigation, and personnel.
Upon resuming, several motions to approve requests for representation in various items are made and passed unanimously.
A motion to deny a request for representation in item 15 is also made and passed.
Requests for settlement authority in items 16 and 17 are approved.

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