Friends -

This week's Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting was one of the shortest in my 7 and 1/2 years on the BOC, although we had some lengthy discussions in executive session at the conclusion of the public session.

Of import was our approval for Public Works to hold public hearings "in anticipation of a future request for approval to authorize increases in water and sewer rates." While the City of Atlanta provides water and sewer for citizens in Atlanta and Sandy Springs, the County provides it for many others in the County and elsewhere. If this might impact you, please see the proposed schedule of increases in the report HERE.

We also received our usual report on the County response to COVID, which has become a broader report on the County Manager's major projects. The COVID numbers continue to increase, so please review this report and be vigilant with your own health and safety. The County Manager's report includes recommendations approved by the BOC for implementation of the County's $500,000 summer youth job training program. It also includes an abbreviated update on Project ORCA, the $75,000,000 project focused on reducing the COVID-created backlog of court cases. I previously provided a more detailed update on this important work, and we will receive a more detailed briefing at our next BOC meeting.  I invite you to review the full report HERE.

Finally, I sponsored and the BOC approved a couple of ordinance amendments to broaden the non-discrimination provisions to include sexual orientation and gender identity. One applied to public accommodations in the very small part of Fulton County that is not a part of a city, and the other applied to hiring and personnel decisions of the County.

Stay well and safe,

- Lee   

Expanding Fulton County's
Non-Discrimination Policies

June 1, the first day of Pride Month, seemed to be the appropriate time to officially expand Fulton County's policies around non-discrimination. I was shocked to learn that the County's ordinances did not include sexual orientation and gender identity, and therefore did not cover all people. Fulton County of all jurisdictions, should make sure that no one is discriminated against, and it was important to me to make this change. The rest of the BOC agreed, and we approved the resolutions unanimously.

-Amending the non-discrimination policy in places of public accommodation

-Amending the non-discrimination policy in hiring and employment

Important Information for the
June 21 Primary Runoff Election

Following a largely successful Primary Election in Fulton County, we are looking forward to continuing with a secure and accessible 2022 election cycle. 

In a few Primary races, no one candidate received the requisite 50% +1 votes to secure the party's nomination and move on to the General Election. Those races will appear on the June 21 Primary Runoff ballot. It is important to note the following:

-If you voted in the Republican Primary, you may ONLY vote in the Republican Runoff (if applicable).

-If you voted in the Democratic Primary, you may ONLY vote in the Democratic Runoff (if applicable).

-If you DID NOTE VOTE in either Primary, you MAY VOTE in either Runoff.

IMPORTANT DATES

-Deadline to Submit an Absentee Ballot Application: Friday, June 10, 2022

-Early Voting Begins: Saturday, June 11, 2022

-Last Day of Early Voting and to Access Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes: Friday, June 17, 2022

-Primary Runoff Election: Tuesday, June 21, 2022

ADDITIONAL INFO 

Full Fulton County results from the May 24 Primary Election can be found HERE. Statewide results are posted on the Secretary of State's website HERE. 

A composite sample ballot for the Primary Runoff Election is not yet posted, but check back soon. Keep in mind your ballot will not include all of the listed races, but rather those races for which you are eligible to vote.

Click here to View the More Information About Fulton County Commission, District 3 Newsletter - June 3, 2022