Asset forfeiture reports submitted for fiscal year ‘22 ► PAGE 2
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Tax rate remains steady By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com
PHOTO: ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA/FILE ILLUSTRATION: CARL APPEN/APPEN MEDIA
If you are arrested in Sandy Springs, you may end up in jail in one of three counties; Fulton, Pickens or Cobb.
City approves contracts for out-of-county jails By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Each year, the Sandy Springs Police Department arrests close to 3,500 people on a wide range of charges — everything from murder and aggravated assault to driving under the influence and disorderly conduct. And without a Sandy Springs Municipal Jail, arrested individuals must be placed in custody with outside authorities, sometimes dozens of miles away, while the wheels of justice slowly turn. But unlike municipalities that house
inmates in their local sheriff’s office custody regardless of whether the arresting charge is for jaywalking or felony murder, in Sandy Springs what you’re charged with determines whether you’re sent to the clink in Fulton, Cobb, or Pickens counties, and how much time you can expect to spend there. That also means a variation in how much the city pays to house arrestees. At a July 18 meeting, the Sandy Spring City Council unanimously approved contracts with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the City of
See JAIL, Page 8
More information In 2022 the Sandy Springs Police Department recorded the following statistics: • 3,659 people were arrested. • 1,308 individuals cited and released on site. • 1,504 individuals were taken to Smyrna and about 847 individuals went to Fulton County.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs city leaders approved a steady millage rate for 2023, but some residents may see increased property taxes as home values continue to rise. Following initial public hearings in August, elected officials approved a property tax rate of 4.731 mills at a special called meeting Aug. 22. No public comments were shared during any of the hearings. Sandy Springs’ millage rate is capped by the city charter at 4.731 mills. With property values generally increasing each year, the city could roll back the tax rate to generate the same revenues as the prior year, or it can maintain the same millage rate, which generally brings in more money because property values have risen. At the Aug. 15 public hearing, City Manager Eden Freeman said staff considered a revenue-neutral rate of 4.3808 mills. But, the city would miss out on more than $3.5 million in revenues with the rollback rate, so it was not recommended, Freeman said.
See TAX, Page 4