South Fulton City Council Work Session - March 24, 2026

The South Fulton City Council held a work session on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting covered an update on impact fees, a solid waste fee proposal and rate increase, and a proclamation honoring former Councilwoman Helen Willis. The council also entered executive session.

Consent Calendar

• No consent agenda items were voted on during the work session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

Introduction of New Employees

• City Manager Sharon Subadan introduced Tanya Morris as the interim HR director.

Impact Fees Update

• Paige Hadley of Ross and Associates presented an update on the city's impact fee study, which began in September 2024. The study is designed to run concurrently with the comprehensive development plan update.
• Impact fees are a one-time fee collected from new development to help pay for future capital costs for expanding city services. The study is focusing on public facility categories: parks, police, and fire. Road improvements were initially included but are now excluded because the TSPLOST program adequately funds those projects, and new development cannot be charged twice for the same project.
• The capital improvements element (CIE) will be an appendix to the comprehensive plan and must be approved by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
• The advisory committee, composed of 50% representatives from the building, development, and real estate community, will provide guidance on fee schedules.
• Next steps: a formal public hearing to transmit the draft CIE is expected in late April 2026, followed by a two-month DCA review. The council would then hold two public hearings before adopting the CIE and fee ordinance. Implementation could occur as early as summer 2026, with staff training required.
• Councilmember Rowell asked whether cultural facilities like an art center would be included under parks and recreation. Hadley confirmed they could be and would check calculations.
• City Manager Subadan noted a realistic timeline would be adoption in time for the fiscal 2027 budget (September 2026); if later, a budget amendment would be needed.

Solid Waste Update

• Dr. Marc Cooper, Assistant City Manager, and Gordan Burkette, Solid Waste Coordinator, presented a solid waste fee increase proposal.
• Current rate: $233.16 annually ($19.43/month). Proposed increase to $275.00 annually ($22.92/month), an increase of $3.49 per month, effective June 2026.
• An alternative rate including weekly curbside recycling would be $375.56 annually ($31.30/month), adding approximately $4 million in annual costs.
• The justification includes maintaining high-quality service, safety improvements at the Merck Mile Convenience Center, and following council's directive to maintain a reserve requirement for the solid waste enterprise fund. The vendor contract includes a consumer price index (CPI) adjustment based on water, sewer, and trash costs; the projected CPI for FY26 is about 4.9%, which would add $401,000 in costs.
• FY26 projected revenue is about $9.3 million, but expenses are over $11 million, so the fund cannot sustain the current rate.
• The proposed rate increase includes a comprehensive education and outreach campaign for residents, with talking points, a press release, and a fact sheet ready to deploy.
• Merck Mile Convenience Center improvements: current concept and design drawings are nearly complete. Planned improvements include replacing the retaining wall, relocating fire hydrants, consolidating recycling, stormwater management, wayfinding signage, and implementing a cashless transaction system. Estimated cost: $1.2 million.
• Proposed pricing change at Merck Mile: for loads up to 150 pounds, the fee would increase from $10 to $12, but the weight limit for that tier would increase to 360 pounds. The 151-to-360-pound tier would drop from $30 to $18. About 70% of customers fall in the under-150-pound group, and 10% in the 151-to-360-pound group. Councilwoman Williams-Brown noted the reduction would lose about $108,000 in revenue but could encourage more people to use the facility and reduce illegal dumping. Burkette confirmed the city loses money on every transaction at Merck Mile.
• Councilwoman Rowell requested an annual report on recycling data. Burkette stated that monthly reports include weight data from Pratt Industries, the recycler that processes materials from Merck Mile. The IT department is developing a custom software system for cashless payments and better data tracking, expected online in three to six months.
• Councilwoman Pritchett questioned the effectiveness of recycling, noting that in some cases recycling and trash end up in the same stream. Burkette explained that South Fulton operates a single-stream recycling program at Merck Mile (excluding glass) and that materials are taken to Pratt Industries in Conyers, which separates and sells materials. Georgia is a large consumer of recycled materials.
• Councilman Johnson asked about the alternative rate for weekly curbside recycling, confirming it would apply citywide. He also noted the $108,000 loss from the reduced tier may be partially offset by other categories, but Burkette confirmed the loss would not be significant.
• Mayor Gumbs asked about bulk trash days, recycling events, and tree trimming pickup. Staff clarified bulk trash pickup is available monthly by scheduling; recycling and shredding events are published on the website; tree trimmings can be placed in the existing container (if they fit) or in a second container for $12 per month. There are no immediate plans to change vendors.

Proclamation for Former Councilwoman Helen Willis

• The council presented a proclamation honoring former Councilwoman Helen Zenobia Willis for her nine years of service as an inaugural council member representing District 3. She served from 2017 until her resignation to run for higher office in Fulton County. The proclamation highlighted her work on public safety, parks, financial transparency, and human trafficking ordinances. Willis thanked the council and expressed continued commitment to the community.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during the work session. The council received information and provided direction on the impact fee study and solid waste fee proposal.
• The council expressed intent to move forward with a formal public hearing on the draft CIE in late April 2026.
• The solid waste fee increase proposal will proceed, with an effective date of June 2026, pending council approval at a regular meeting. The alternative including curbside recycling was discussed but not advanced.
• Council directed staff to provide data on illegal dumping impact and an annual recycling report.
• The meeting recessed at 5:06 PM for executive session on litigation, personnel, cybersecurity, and real estate, and reconvened at 6:08 PM for adjournment.

Executive Session

• The council entered executive session at 5:06 PM by unanimous consent to discuss litigation, personnel, cybersecurity, and real estate. The meeting reconvened at 6:08 PM and was adjourned.