NEWS RELEASE

From Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts

District 2, At-Large

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Harriet Thomas 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

404-612-8210

www.fultoncountyga.gov

Commissioner Pitts Opposes Creation of
New Economic Development Department

On Wednesday, December 7, 2011, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve the establishment of a Fulton County Department of Economic Development.  The new office will start off with a $750,000 annual budget, but “will increase as soon as it is set-up”, according to Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts.

The proposal was co-sponsored by Chairman John Eaves and Commissioners Joan Garner and Liz Hausmann, and was also supported by Tom Lowe.  Commissioner Pitts was joined by Commissioners Emma Darnell and William “Bill” Edwards in opposing the measure.

In stating his opposition, Commissioner Pitts said, “While I support the concept of economic development, I think this new office is a bad idea on several counts.  First, we are already facing a $77 million shortfall for 2012.  Our Finance Department has warned us that we are likely to face a huge millage rate hike in 2013.  We have already asked existing departments – like libraries, aging services, youth programs, and public health – to take 5% across-the-board budget cuts.  Most of our existing employees haven’t had raises in four years, and we just asked them to pay more for their health benefits.  With all of these factors, it doesn’t sound like we can afford a new department at this time.”

Pitts continued, “Furthermore, the national economy is still stagnant.  The sponsors of this resolution brought forth this idea with no business plan.  They arbitrarily assigned a $750,000 budget – which may not be enough to cover the basics.  The last thing we need is more bureaucrats earning $100,000-$150,000 in jobs that are not needed.  I was shocked that it was even proposed, particularly at this time.”

As an alternative, Pitts stressed that more cooperation with others could gain similar results with less financial impact, “The state of Georgia, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and other chambers already focus on economic development within Fulton County.  It would make much more sense to participate with them as opposed to creating more layers of bureaucracy.”

In the end, Pitts said that the new office will compound the $77 million shortfall facing Fulton County in 2012, and will result in layoffs for more employees or cuts to services like libraries, aging services, senior transportation, or others.

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