Latest news with #FultonCountyCommission
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fulton County chairman says he was 'disinvited' from White House meeting
The Brief Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts says he was disinvited from a White House meeting after already traveling to Washington, D.C., costing taxpayers nearly $2,000. Pitts questioned why he was disinvited while other Fulton County commissioners remained on the guest list; the White House cited seating capacity limits. Both Pitts and Henry County Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell, who was also disinvited, are Democrats, raising questions about whether politics played a role. FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - A scheduled White House meeting for local leaders has turned into controversy after Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said he was unexpectedly disinvited — a claim the White House disputes. What they're saying Pitts was already in Washington, D.C., ahead of Tuesday's meeting when he said he received an email on Sunday notifying him that he was no longer invited. The email, according to Pitts, read: "We regret to inform you that due to circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer able to welcome you to the White House. We appreciate your understanding." Pitts' travel expenses — just under $2,000 for airfare and hotel, according to the county — were already incurred by taxpayers before the cancellation. He had planned to meet with officials including the head of the Small Business Administration and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler. Pitts said his top priority was to advocate for Fulton County's grants and ensure they are not cut. Fulton County, Georgia's most populous county, was still represented at the White House event by other commissioners from both political parties. However, Pitts questioned why he, as chairman, was disinvited while his colleagues remained on the guest list. What we know An email provided by the county showed that after Pitts submitted his RSVP on Sunday, the White House opened additional invitations to other political leaders. Henry County Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell also received a notice that she could no longer attend. Harrell, however, had not yet traveled to Washington, meaning no expenses were incurred for Henry County. The White House Intergovernmental Affairs Office initially did not provide an explanation, but later a White House official stated the disinvitations were due to seating capacity being maxed out. When asked if he thought it was a mistake or political, Pitts said he thinks it is political. Both Pitts and Harrell are Democrats. There have been unconfirmed reports that other counties were affected by similar disinvitations, but no further details have been verified.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Millions spent on Fulton County Diversion Center, but it's barely used
The Fulton County Center for Diversion & Services was built with the goal of bringing people who only committed a minor offense there to get help, instead of hauling them to jail. But after costing taxpayers $5 million, Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts feels the center isn't getting enough use. 'It's a beautiful facility,' Pitts told Channel 2's Sophia Choi. Pitts voted to use taxpayer money for the diversion center, which opened in January. 'Simple reason, because it will (alleviate) some of the pressure on Rice Street,' Pitts said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He said the diversion center can help people with minor offenses avoid a permanent record. But after touring the facility, Pitts is disappointed by the lack of use. '(I'm) seeing only two or three people per day. And that's not going to get it,' Pitts said. Both Fulton County and Atlanta contributed $2.5 million to build the center with 20 beds, most of which stay empty, and they're still spending tax dollars on it. Grady Memorial Hospital runs it, but any police department within the county limits can use it. 'So it's the 15 police departments that's within Fulton County, the cities. Plus MARTA, plus Georgia State, and others around there,' Pitts said. Atlanta police say they've taken plenty of people to the center since it opened. The problem is, they can't make people stay. TRENDING STORIES: Fight outside McDonald's in DeKalb County ends in shootout, police say We now have 4 candidates running to be Georgia's next governor Man found dead on top of tank at Cartersville manufacturing plant Pitts hopes to convince officers to start using the diversion program on a regular basis. He plans to meet with police chiefs next week. 'We're going to have to get the officers, and more importantly, the chiefs, to say to their people, we have to take advantage of this. Otherwise, I mean, it's a waste of time and money if we're not utilizing it,' Pitts said. Pitts said he's looking at some options when it comes to the building. He said the county and city will likely give the program some more time before considering closing it. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘You're hired': Fulton County looks to fill job vacancies with laid-off federal workers
Fulton County officials are stepping in to help federal employees who are facing job cuts and layoffs. Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said there's a need in Fulton County to fill around 800 vacancies. The new initiative will give guaranteed job interviews to federal workers in the county who've been impacted by the recent government cuts. Pitts said the part- and full-time positions are already funded. The requirements are as follows: applicants need to be a resident of Fulton County and meet the qualifications of the job to get the interview. Channel 2's Eryn Rogers browsed the current openings and salaries ranged from just under $38,000 for a cook to upwards of $250,000 for an associate medical examiner. TRENDING STORIES Mom accused of stabbing son to death before being shot, killed by police CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Man committed murder, carjacking, assaults and more – all in 20 minutes Alpharetta native, son of Backstreet Boys star joins 'American Idol' on Channel 2 There are also open positions for engineers, law enforcement, attorneys, court reporters, and technology professionals. 'Some say you're fired, I say you're hired here in Fulton County,' Pitts said. 'The reason I say that is because there are at least a couple thousand Fulton County residents who've been displaced because of DOGE. These are experienced people, they're qualified people, and they're very professional people.' Pitts said this program is in effect now, but he plans to finalize it with a resolution at the board of commissioners meeting on March 19.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fulton County arts funding slashed: Advocated call for budget reconsideration
The Brief Fulton County commissioners rejected a proposal to put $1.7M back into the arts and culture in the Fulton County budget. Non-profit arts and culture programs say they are disappointed by the 50% cut in their budgets. Commissioners say they are concerned about complying with a Department of Justice consent decree surrounding the Fulton County jail that was issued in January. FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Commissioners say they are not issuing a harsh decision and would like to revisit the funding in months to come. Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations say the reduction in funding by the Fulton County Commission takes away the vibe and vitality of our city. What they're saying They say commissioners have not looked at the big picture of how much revenue these organizations generate for our economy. The arts and culture have become thriving aspects of the Atlanta community, but a recent slash in the Fulton County budget from three million dollars to $1.3 million could really bring down the curtain. Chris Escobar, who owns the Plaza and Tara Theatres, is the executive director of the Atlanta Film Society. "The disappointment I would say I really have is that they aren't looking at the economic impact, the revenue the arts generate, which is strongly and easily a 300% return—a three to one return for every dollar they put out," Mr. Escobar exclaimed. Escobar says the city of Atlanta did an economic impact study that shows a whopping $16 million in tax revenue generated, despite $5 million in grant money invested by the city and county combined. Statewide, arts advocates say that Georgia has the dubious distinction of being last in the nation when you look at average per capita arts spending while the industry is booming. "The arts and entertainment at large is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy, particularly as we've been coming out of the recession for the last couple of decades," Mr. Escobar explained. But commissioners have taken a more conservative approach to funding, especially since they are staring at the Department of Justice Consent Decree surrounding the Fulton County jail. The other side "I am not saying no to the arts, I am saying pause. Let us figure out what we need to do for our most crucial part of what we are mandated to provide in our county ordinance, and that is the county jail," District 4 Commissioner Mo Ivory explained during Wednesday's Commission meeting. Arts supporters say they understand that commissioners want to revisit this issue. They just hope that the review will not come too late. The Source FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor spoke with Chris Escobar, who owns the Plaza and Tara Theatres, and Fulton County District 4 Commissioner Mo Ivory for this article. Fulton County Commission proceedings were also used for this story.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fulton Co. Commission extends maintenance contract at county jail
At Wednesday's Fulton County Commission meeting, a five-month extension to a contract for maintaining jail facilities at its three jail locations. Those jail facilities, the Fulton County Jail, Jail South Annex in Union City, and the Fulton County North Annex Jail in Alpharetta, all have the same contracted company for work on their HVAC systems and other needs. According to the agenda item from the commissioners' meeting, had they not approved nearly $3 million to extend the contract through the end of June, 'the County does not have the internal resource capacity, or the expertise, to perform' the work on its own. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Woman charged with killing 9-year-old son, burying him in backyard before being arrested in Cobb Co. SWAT situation comes to an end at DeKalb County apartment complex Todd Chrisley says prison guard ripped MAGA sticker from jail cell, hopes Trump will pardon him 'The contract requires preventive and corrective services for all building systems including, but not limited to, all HVAC, door & locking controls, plumbing, electrical, generators, building envelope, kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, and perimeter fencing/gates. laundry equipment,' the county reported. 'On average, 1,600 corrective maintenance work requests are submitted and completed each month across all three (3) jail facilities.' Those numbers would put the overall number of repairs for Fulton County jail facilities at more than 19,000 per year. At the commission meeting, the vote to approve the extension for Atlanta-based Johnson Controls, Inc. was approved without discussion or any votes against it, with a 5-0 vote in favor. That means the county will pay Johnson Controls $2.81 million to continue its maintenance activities at all three jails while the county works on a longer-term maintenance contract to begin July 1. It's also the third such extension to the contract with Johnson Controls, according to county records. The company previously received a 60-day extension on Jan. 1, 2024 and a 30-day extension on Jan. 1, 2025. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
