In May 2005, as discussions about the potential incorporation of Sandy Springs intensified, the issue of race became a significant point of contention. The proposed incorporation raised concerns about the loss of approximately $25 million in tax revenue for South Fulton, a majority African-American area, which would be diverted to Sandy Springs, a predominantly white area in North Fulton.
District 5 Commissioner and Commission Vice-chair Emma Darnell voiced strong objections, arguing that the legislation creating the city of Sandy Springs had a discriminatory purpose, potentially violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Darnell emphasized that using terms like “racist” could be seen as too general but that describing the situation as “unlawful” might be more appropriate due to the inherent inequities it represented.
Darnell also highlighted that the incorporation would not only affect financial resources but would also limit South Fulton residents’ ability to vote on decisions impacting the entire county. She warned that the potential reduction in services, including cuts to facilities like the Benson Senior Center and the Sandy Springs Regional Library, would negatively impact all county residents.
Commission Chairman Karen Handel, a supporter of Sandy Springs residents’ right to vote on their own governance, expressed disappointment at the direction the debate had taken, noting that the rhetoric around race and discrimination was overshadowing legitimate governance discussions. Handel argued that the issue was rooted in a long history of unequal service distribution across the county, which had led to the current situation.
As the vote on Sandy Springs’ incorporation approached, the debate underscored deep-seated tensions around race, governance, and resource allocation in Fulton County.