Is It True? (Atlanta, Roswell: school district, tax, live)

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by runningncircles1

I think you're referring to a post I made here the other day... I didn't mean to scare you. I said I read about one idea where Cobb and N.Fulton would merge into a super county (by GA standards) since we have the maximum # of counties allowed by the constitution of GA. It was nothing more than an article, but it was interesting to say the least.

It talked about how if that happened, it would be one of the wealthiest counties in the US if not THE wealthiest. Not to mention one of the best school districts in the US (and the best in the state) since it would have East Cobb AND N.Fulton schools. South Fulton would be in for a rude awakening if that happened... Fulton would go from having high SAT scores to abysmal results overnight, as well as going bankrupt. City of Atlanta could probably wing it for a while... they'd just raise taxes on Buckhead, then Buckhead would try to secede THEN it would go bankrupt, LOL.

But, the article was entirely hypothetical.

Thanks RC1 ... thank goodness the "census" expert (you) stood up to the plate and hit a home run and quelled another "non" bullet proof discussion!

Like myself ... and many, many other individuals are not completely familiar with the laws and statutes like you are regarding census, State & County laws, etc.

Good GRACIOUS we've had too many discussions about [merging] & [secession] ... NO WONDER nobody gets along around here. Sheesh!

Once again GOOD 4 U bud. We all take our individual expertise and add to the clan. Glad you spoke up once again.

[Saintmarks]

But there has been talk in North Fulton for some years to get Milton County re-established and for that to happen, some county would have to fold or merge with another to get by with the 159 limit rule. However, I've always heard it mentioned of some of the poorer rural counties in the southern part of the state as being candidates for a merger, not ones in the metro area.

Several of those rural counties have merged school districts or at the least have a consolidated high school. When you see the high school sports scores, you see Mitchell-Baker, Randolph-Clay, Stewart-Quitman, etc. High Schools. These are counties that brought their school districts together because the populations and resources were too small to maintain separate systems. If they have gone that far, why not merge the two into one? The thinking was, at least in an article I read some years ago, perhaps even before the new cities getting on the map, was that the North Fulton powers that be would broker some merger like this so they could resurrect Milton County.

I guess North Fulton could try to de-annex itself and become annexed by another county and bypass this state law, which is where you get the Cobb - North Fulton scenario. This is what the Rico community in far South Fulton attempted to do a few years back, they got around the legal wranglings to de-annex from Fulton to join Coweta, but after all that was accomplished, Coweta said it didn't want them. That area has now incorporated as Chatahoochee Hill Country.

My question now is why is there still talk of recreating Milton County? Why didn't the incorporations of the cities of Milton, John's Creek and Sandy Springs solve this problem? Is it simply the school district? Could the North Fulton cities create their own school district? I think state law doesn't allow new city systems, but what of a shared system between Roswell, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Milton? (Oh, don't forget Mountain Park) Would that still run into some state law?

[lastminutemom]

Yes-- only counties are allowed to have school systems under the constitution. Interestingly, having spoken to many GA legislators about working to remove this language from the constitution, I have gotten as much pushback from Republicans as Democrats. Most republicans say additional school systems are just another layer of government, so they wouldn't support such a change.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

Yes-- only counties are allowed to have school systems under the constitution. Interestingly, having spoken to many GA legislators about working to remove this language from the constitution, I have gotten as much pushback from Republicans as Democrats. Most republicans say additional school systems are just another layer of government, so they wouldn't support such a change.

I agree with them. Coming from NJ, where every rinky-dink town had it's own school system, I can tell you that's not the way we want to go down here. The amount of waste, corruption, etc., that occurs in those systems is disgusting (like a 2-school district needing a $200k/year superintendent). The county-based system we have works just fine, IMO.

[gt6974a]

Originally Posted by runningncircles1

I think you're referring to a post I made here the other day... I didn't mean to scare you. I said I read about one idea where Cobb and N.Fulton would merge into a super county (by GA standards) since we have the maximum # of counties allowed by the constitution of GA. It was nothing more than an article, but it was interesting to say the least.

It talked about how if that happened, it would be one of the wealthiest counties in the US if not THE wealthiest. Not to mention one of the best school districts in the US (and the best in the state) since it would have East Cobb AND N.Fulton schools. South Fulton would be in for a rude awakening if that happened... Fulton would go from having high SAT scores to abysmal results overnight, as well as going bankrupt. City of Atlanta could probably wing it for a while... they'd just raise taxes on Buckhead, then Buckhead would try to secede THEN it would go bankrupt, LOL.

But, the article was entirely hypothetical.

Didn't here your rumor, but I know there is a small push for Buckhead to secede from Atlanta. B/C there's already a city in Georgia called Buckhead, they'd have to call themselves something like 'Buckhead City'.

I don't think it's a huge push, but it was in the news.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by runningncircles1

I think you're referring to a post I made here the other day... I didn't mean to scare you. I said I read about one idea where Cobb and N.Fulton would merge into a super county (by GA standards) since we have the maximum # of counties allowed by the constitution of GA. It was nothing more than an article, but it was interesting to say the least.

It talked about how if that happened, it would be one of the wealthiest ocounties in the US if not THE wealthiest. Not to mention one of the best school districts in the US (and the best in the state) since it would have East Cobb AND N.Fulton schools. South Fulton would be in for a rude awakening if that happened... Fulton would go from having high SAT scores to abysmal results overnight, as well as going bankrupt. City of Atlanta could probably wing it for a while... they'd just raise taxes on Buckhead, then Buckhead would try to secede THEN it would go bankrupt, LOL.

But, the article was entirely hypothetical.

I'm sold...can you take NW DeKalb with you?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I believe if you went to the Cobb Commission and proposed that they merge with Fulton (any part of it) you would be met with a shotgun aimed at your forehead. LOL

No doubt. Except for the rich parts. That might be acceptable.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by gt6974a

Didn't here your rumor, but I know there is a small push for Buckhead to secede from Atlanta. B/C there's already a city in Georgia called Buckhead, they'd have to call themselves something like 'Buckhead City'.

I don't think it's a huge push, but it was in the news.

That 'small push' actually generated a petition that over 10,000 Buckhead residents have thus far signed...that's pretty impressive, considering that the entire population of the community is around 85,000.

[BloosCloos11]

LovinDecatur

- I didn't hear that from this forum. i remember hearing it from a teacher at my old school( i moved) so I was wondering

[GF72]

Originally Posted by runningncircles1

I think you're referring to a post I made here the other day... I didn't mean to scare you. I said I read about one idea where Cobb and N.Fulton would merge into a super county (by GA standards) since we have the maximum # of counties allowed by the constitution of GA. It was nothing more than an article, but it was interesting to say the least.

It talked about how if that happened, it would be one of the wealthiest counties in the US if not THE wealthiest. Not to mention one of the best school districts in the US (and the best in the state) since it would have East Cobb AND N.Fulton schools. South Fulton would be in for a rude awakening if that happened... Fulton would go from having high SAT scores to abysmal results overnight, as well as going bankrupt. City of Atlanta could probably wing it for a while... they'd just raise taxes on Buckhead, then Buckhead would try to secede THEN it would go bankrupt, LOL.

But, the article was entirely hypothetical.

Actually the article wasn't talking about merging with Cobb, it was talking about Milton Country reformation, which people are actually talking about. Some people have considered that merging with Cobb could be a possibility, to get around the 159 country rule, but it wasn't in the article.


As for the super county thing... if East Cobb and Dunwoody both seceded from their respective counties, and north Fulton seceded, and they all merged, THEN you'd have one huge super county, probably the wealthiest in the country and, short of Buckhead, every significant wealthy area in the state. I'm sure there's someone on a plantation estate somewhere, dreaming about it right now.....

As for Buckhead seceding, that's not a small rumor. The Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation is seriously exploring that, and a petition has already garnered thousands of signatures.

However, serious political power is needed to get Buckhead out of Atlanta (including the governer's support I believe), and I highly doubt they'll get it. Buckhead is the source of almost 50% of Atlanta's tax revenue, the city can't afford to lose it.

If North Fulton and Buckhead both broke away (which is practically impossible, but that won't stop them from trying...) it would be pretty catastrophic... why would businesses even bother with Atlanta and Fulton anymore? There would be a mad dash on the commercial front for Buckhead, Perimeter, and Alpharetta, and on the residential front for the suburban neighborhoods...