Honoring Fulton County Employee Veterans

In recognition of Veteran's Day, Fulton County proudly honors employee veterans and active members of the military. View photos here.

Fulton County Commissioners Authorize Tax Commissioner to Waive Ad Valorem Fines

By a unanimous vote, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners authorized the Fulton County Tax Commissioner to waive penalties and interest accrued by county drivers after notices of the annual taxes were delivered late.   The resolution was sponsored by District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis, along with co-sponsors, Fulton County Vice-Chairman District 1 Commissioner Liz Hausmann and District 3 Commissioner Lee Morris.

“The lack of a mailed notice does not relieve the obligation to pay the tag fees still due on your birthday,” says Fulton County Vice-Chairman District 1 Commissioner Liz Hausmann. “The Fulton County Board of Commissioners recognizes the confusion created to some taxpayers who did not receive the notice, and has acted to help relieve any additional burden caused by the late billing.”  

“I am pleased the Board took action to allow our taxpayers to be treated with equity and fairness,” said District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis.

“And, hopefully this will let the residents know that we heard them and this will provide them with the relief that they deserve,” said District 3 Commissioner Lee Morris.

The move comes after the company under contract with the Georgia Department of Revenue for mailing pre-bills sent a letter on September 29, 2015 informing the State they would cease all business operations and file Chapter 11 bankruptcy.   As a result of the vendor's default, some pre-bills were not sent to motor vehicle owners whose registration renewals were due in October 2015.   

Some motorists also reported the back-up vendor retained by the Georgia Department of Revenue mailed some pre-bills with return envelopes that did not show the complete address for the Tax Commissioner so that payment could be submitted but not received.

The resolution authorizes the Fulton County Tax Commissioner to waive penalties and/or interest, in whole or in part, upon motor vehicle owners meeting each of the following circumstances:

• Included are motor vehicle renewals that became due beginning October 1, 2015, through and including November 30, 2015, in Fulton County, Georgia
• The motor vehicle owner presents an Affidavit to the Tax Commissioner asserting that he or she either (a) failed to receive a pre-bill, or (b) received a pre-bill with a remittance envelope that failed to show the complete return address of the Tax Commissioner’s Office and as a result, the remittance was marked as undeliverable and returned to sender
• Payment in full of the principal ad valorem tax and tag fee is received within sixty (60) days of the original deadline for such payment.

If the Tax Commissioner determines that there was reasonable cause for the late payment as described above, the Fulton County Department of Finance will refund to the motor vehicle owner the appropriate amount as determined by the Tax Commissioner.

For more information on the Office of the Fulton County Tax Commissioner, motorists can log onto the office’s website at www.fultoncountytaxes.org/motor-vehicles.aspx.

Fulton County Commissioners Authorize Tax Commissioner to Waive Ad Valorem Fines

By a unanimous vote, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners authorized the Fulton County Tax Commissioner to waive penalties and interest accrued by county drivers after notices of the annual taxes were delivered late. The resolution was sponsored by District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis, along with co-sponsors, Fulton County Vice-Chairman District 1 Commissioner Liz Hausmann and District 3 Commissioner Lee Morris.

“The lack of a mailed notice does not relieve the obligation to pay the tag fees still due on your birthday,” says Fulton County Vice-Chairman District 1 Commissioner Liz Hausmann. “The Fulton County Board of Commissioners recognizes the confusion created to some taxpayers who did not receive the notice, and has acted to help relieve any additional burden caused by the late billing.” 

“I am pleased the Board took action to allow our taxpayers to be treated with equity and fairness,” said District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis.

“And, hopefully this will let the residents know that we heard them and this will provide them with the relief that they deserve,” said District 3 Commissioner Lee Morris.

The move comes after the company under contract with the Georgia Department of Revenue for mailing pre-bills sent a letter on September 29, 2015 informing the State they would cease all business operations and file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As a result of the vendor's default, some pre-bills were not sent to motor vehicle owners whose registration renewals were due in October 2015. Some motorists also reported the back-up vendor retained by the Georgia Department of Revenue mailed some pre-bills with return envelopes that did not show the complete address for the Tax Commissioner so that payment could be submitted but not received.

The resolution authorizes the Fulton County Tax Commissioner to waive penalties and/or interest, in whole or in part, upon motor vehicle owners meeting each of the following circumstances: 

• Included are motor vehicle renewals that became due beginning October 1, 2015, through and including November 31, 2015, in Fulton County, Georgia

• The motor vehicle owner presents an Affidavit to the Tax Commissioner asserting that he or she either (a) failed to receive a pre-bill, or (b) received a pre-bill with a remittance envelope that failed to show the complete return address of the Tax Commissioner’s Office and as a result, the remittance was marked as undeliverable and returned to sender

• Payment in full of the principal ad valorem tax and tag fee is received within sixty (60) days of the original deadline for such payment.

If the Tax Commissioner determines that there was reasonable cause for the late payment as described above, the Fulton County Department of Finance will refund to the motor vehicle owner the appropriate amount as determined by the Tax Commissioner.

For more information on the Office of the Fulton County Tax Commissioner, motorists can log onto the office’s website at www.fultoncountytaxes.org/motor-vehicles.aspx.

Fulton County Cooperative Extension Invites Residents to Commit to "Dining In" on Thursday, December 3rd

Families invited to post pictures on Twitter using the #FultonDineIn

Fulton County residents are invited to join the nation in celebrating national “Dine-in Day” on Thursday, December 3, 2015 to promote families preparing and eating a healthy meal together. Residents are encouraged to show their support for Dine-In Day by posting a picture of their families preparing and having dinner together. Post your family dinner at #FultonDineIn.

Dine-In Day highlights the many benefits to families of “dining in”. Research has shown that the entire family benefits from family mealtime by having better nutrition, improving family communication, fostering family traditions, and teaching life skills such as meal planning, budgeting, and food preparation.

“National Dine-In Day or Family & Consumer Sciences Day calls attention to simple steps families can take be physically, mentally, and financially healthier by preparing and eating a nutritious meal together,” says Menia Chester, Director of Fulton County Cooperative Extension. “We are pleased to take part in this important initiative.”

The nationwide obesity epidemic, especially among children and teens, has a great deal to do with unhealthy eating and lack of food preparation knowledge. Encouraging families to prepare simple, healthy meals and eat together supports the essence of family and consumer sciences: “Creating Healthy and Sustainable Families.”

The year 2015 marks the second annual Family & Consumer Sciences Day, launched by the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), with a goal of having 200,000 families make a commitment to dining in together. December 3rd was chosen as Family & Consumer Sciences Day to honor AAFCS Founder Ellen Swallow Richards, the first female graduate of MIT.

For easy to prepare recipes and more information about Fulton County Cooperative Extension, call 404-332-2400.

Fulton County BRE to Hold Special Meeting on November 3rd

The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 6:30pm at the Election Preparation Center located at 1365 English Street, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318.

The Board will meet to discuss Election Day activities for the November 3, 2015 Municipal General and Special Election.

The Board will also convene in Executive Session to Discuss Personnel and/or Legal Matters and Action as Required.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd for the Municipal General and Special Election

Residents reminded to vote at their poll site

Election Day polling locations will be open on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 7:00am – 7:00pm for eligible registered voters to cast their ballot for the 2015 Municipal General and Special Elections.

To assist residents with identifying their districts, precinct boundaries and poll locations, the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections has posted District and Poll Locator maps on the Fulton County website.

Participating municipal voters are challenged to vote early and show off their “I’m A Georgia Voter” stickers as part of the #PostThePeach Challenge. After casting their ballots, county voters are challenged to post photos of themselves wearing their state-issued “I am A Georgia Voter” peach sticker and to challenge others to #PostThePeach on social media channels.  

For more information regarding Fulton County Registration and Elections, call 404-612-7020 or visit www.fultonelections.com.

Fulton Commissioners to Discuss Future of Turner Field

Listening session is part of effort to engage stadium neighbors in future of region

Fulton County Commissioners plan to hear firsthand from residents about what they would like to see happen regarding the development of the area surrounding Turner Field.  That will be the primary topic of discussion at a listening session hosted by Fulton County Commission Chairman John H. Eaves along with Commissioners Marvin S. Arrington, Jr. and Bob Ellis, both members of the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA), the board that oversees the property.  The “Future of the Field” listening session will be held at:

Martin Street Church of God
148 Glenwood Ave, SE
Atlanta Georgia 30312
Monday, November 2, 2015 AT 6 p.m.

The listening session is part of an ongoing Fulton County commitment to neighbors in the communities surrounding Turner Field to seek their input on the future of the property once the Atlanta Braves baseball club vacates it after the conclusion of the 2016 Major League Baseball season.

At their September 2, 2015 meeting, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners formally adopted a resolution asking AFRCA to seek public comment and community input regarding the Turner Field site.  The resolution also called for the use of planning initiatives available within the Livable Centers Initiative planning process, transparency in and ongoing communication with citizens and others about redeveloping, selling, or disposing of the property, and competitive bidding for the site.

The Atlanta Braves recently informed officials they will not renew their lease at Turner Field when it expires on December 31, 2016.

Commissioner Darnell to Discuss Public Safety With Residents

Fulton County District 6 Commissioner Emma I. Darnell plans to discuss public safety with Fulton County residents at a public hearing on Monday, October 26th at 6p.m. Citizens will get an opportunity to tell leadership from government and law enforcement about their concerns about crime. The event will be held at:

Burdett Gymnasium

2945 Burdett Road

College Park, Georgia 30349

"It is clear that crime and the suppression of crime is a major concern throughout District 6. I am confident that by working together, with the neighborhoods, we can bring about safe communities," Commissioner Darnell stated.

For more information on this event you can contact the office of Commissioner Emma I. Darnell at (404) 612-8222 or visit her website: www.emmadarnell.com.

Fulton PICH Program and Community Groups Partnering to Create Healthier Communities

To commemorate Health Education Week, which runs from October 19 to October 23, and its theme of building successful partnerships to more effectively implement sustainable changes in communities, the team from the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH) Program would like to share recent examples of the way it is working with community groups to break down silos, establish new relationships, connect people in support of common goals and collaborate.

The Fulton County PICH Program supports initiatives and activities to reduce chronic disease, improve access to healthy nutrition and physical activity, promote tobacco cessation and smoke-free environments, and create walkable and livable communities. But it can’t do it alone. The PICH Program is working in partnership with a coalition of government, school, healthcare, corporate, faith-based and non-profit organizations to address these four areas.

One recent illustration of this collaboration in action was the September 25 presentation on designing healthy communities to encourage physical activity. The event was sponsored by the Fulton County PICH Program, produced in partnership with the Fulton County Healthy Heart Coalition, Fulton Asthma Improvement & Reduction Coalition, the Diabetes Community Action Coalition of Fulton County, the Smoke Free Coalition, the Fulton Interfaith Coalition and Safe Kids, and made possible by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mark Fenton, a recognized authority on community planning and public health, led the workshop for an audience of 32 health policymakers, public agency officials and community coalition partners. The workshop consisted of lively, interactive discussions about effective strategies for planning and implementing easy-to-launch initiatives to create walkable, bikeable and livable communities throughout the County. Fenton spent a lot of time training the participants to stop thinking and working in silos and instead to create inclusive messages and tactics. Throughout the half-day session, the atmosphere was electric as the discussion generated new ideas from participants who reimagined County neighborhoods as walkable, bikeable and livable communities.

The coalition partners, policymakers and agency leaders have taken the ideas back to their respective organizations to develop concrete ideas for transforming communities throughout Fulton County into areas where cars, bikes, pedestrians and transit all safely share the road and residents have easy, walkable access to healthier food options and pleasant outdoor spaces for physical activity.

Three days later, on September 28, some 40 representatives of a diverse group of community organizations attended a PICH-sponsored daylong training presented by the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE) in developing policies, strategies and interventions to lower the incidence of chronic health problems and to promote physical activity and healthy eating for children, teens, adults, seniors and families in their communities. The public health professionals, policymakers, educators, neighborhood activists and faith-based organization leaders learned how to define social and health problems and to identify like-minded individuals and stakeholder groups who could join them in analyzing problems, developing policy solutions and influencing change.

There’s much work to do in order to make it all a reality, but participants in these events now realize that collaboration will be the key. Said one participant: “We can no long afford to watch other areas of Georgia walk more, eat healthier, and live better. In real-time, in our own communities, we truly want to become a safer, walkable, bike-friendly, healthier eating and overall healthier place to live, work and play. Together, we can do it, and together we will.”

Watch a video about both events here.  

Fulton County Voters Challenged to Vote Early and #PostThePeach

Early voting for Municipal General and Special Election begin Monday, October 12^th

Eligible Fulton County Voters are challenged to vote early and show off their “I’m A Georgia Voter” stickers as part of the #PostThePeach Challenge, for the Municipal General and Special Election. After casting their ballots, county voters are challenged to post photos of themselves wearing their state-issued “I am Georgia Voter” peach sticker and to challenge others to #PostThePeach on social media channels. 

Early voting across Georgia begins on Monday, October 12, 2015. Early voting saves time and is more convenient for voters with busy, modern lifestyles. But even more important, it allows for time for a voter to correct any unforeseen problem that may occur at the polls.

Voters will have three weeks to vote early prior to the November 3, 2015 elections. In addition, voters can cast their ballots by mail and on Election Day.

First launched in 2014, the nonpartisan #PostThePeach Challenge encourages Georgia voters to participate in upcoming municipal and special elections, especially during the early voting period.  The Challenge is supported through a coalition of county election officials, civic engagement organizations and individual voters.

To find your polling location and the early voting hours and locations, please log on to www.fultonelections.com or the Georgia My Voter Page at http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov.