The Facts about T-SPLOST

There is one particular issue on this year’s ballot that will directly impact Sandy Springs and District 3. 

“T-SPLOST” is a Special Local Option Sales Tax specifically earmarked for transportation projects across Fulton County and Sandy Springs will receive some of the largest dollars from this tax.  

With the significant transportation issues facing Sandy Springs and all of metro Atlanta, it is important for you to evaluate all sides of the T-SPLOST bill so you can make an informed decision when casting your vote.  Here are the facts:

  • Residents of Fulton County (excluding Atlanta) are voting on a  T-SPLOST bill that is specific to Fulton County.  Atlanta residents are voting on their own, independent T-SPLOST bill, which is separate from the county’s bill.

  • If passed, all cities in north and south Fulton and unincorporated areas of the county will receive varying degrees of funding based on their population sizes.

  • This is the first T-SPLOST bill in Fulton County, which has traditionally used gas and property taxes to fund transportation initiatives.  Other counties like Cobb and Gwinnett have historically used SPLOST funds for transportation projects

  • With SPLOST, Sales tax revenues are paid by all consumers and businesses that purchase goods and services within the county, so the tax burden is not just on property owners.

  • If passed, Fulton County’s sales tax rate will increase from 7.00% to 7.75%, beginning on April 1, 2017 and ending on March 31, 2022.

  • The Fulton T-SPLOST (excluding Atlanta) is projected to generate $570 million in tax revenue over 5 years, with Sandy Springs receiving approximately $103 million.

  • Sandy Springs will have 7 years to deploy these funds and the city has identified 8 key areas of investment, which can be reviewed in detail by clicking here    

Some of the projects earmarked for District 3 include:

  • Improvements to the intersection at Dalrymple & Roswell Rd
  • Significant changes to the Mt. Vernon/Johnson Ferry corridor just east of Roswell Rd.
  • A comprehensive study of potential changes to Hammond Dr.
  • Sidewalk projects on Brandon Mill, Dalrymple, Heards Ferry and Riverside Dr.
  • Significant repaving of numerous roads across our district.

Click below to watch the City of Sandy Springs' T-SPLOST presentation

If T-SPLOST passes, Sandy Springs will receive $100 million over five years to fund transportation projects across the city without having to incur additional bond debt.  Our city charter places a cap on the property tax mill rate, so raising property taxes for transportation projects or other uses cannot be done without a voter referendum. 

Hence, without T-SPLOST proceeds, the city’s options are:

  • Consider a bond offering, which places additional debt service requirements on tax payers
  • Continue a “pay as we go” system that funds infrastructure investments with annual revenue collections, which either eliminates or measurably extends the years required to complete these projects
  • Reallocate tax revenues away from current needs, which reduces funds available for public safety, parks, recreation and other initiatives that are important to our citizens

While these options are all available to the city, this T-SPLOST bill is certainly worthy of our consideration because of the impact that it can make in the near term on some of our most important transportation needs.  Keeping Sandy Springs moving is crucial to the success of both our residential and business community, especially as north metro Atlanta continues to grow and I encourage you to consider all sides of the T-SPLOST issue closely before casting your vote.  Thanks very much and I hope everyone is able to make it to polls by November 8th.

Mark Your Calendars
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH. 6pm-10pm. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum.

Haunted Sandy Springs


Haunted Sandy Springs will be held on Friday, October 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm. It is free and open to the public. The event begins at the Williams-Payne House (Heritage Sandy Springs Museum) where guests can enjoy live music, psychic readings, fire pit & s’mores bar, and Halloween treats. Complimentary beverages will be served, and dinner will be available for purchase ($5). 

Brave souls can also walk with ghosts through historic Sandy Springs! Haunted Sandy Springs will feature ticketed tours of the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery. Tours last approximately 90 minutes, covering half a mile of haunted history. Tickets are $15. Tours are limited to 30 people per group and will sell out quickly! Some mature content; ages 16+ recommended. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There are three time slots to choose from: 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Free meal (burger or hot dog plus sides) included with ticket purchase.

Check out more information, or buy your tickets for the cemetery tour by clicking on the links. 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29TH. 6pm-8pm. Abernathy Greenway Park.

Spooky Springs



Join our costumed characters for a not-so-frightful evening filled with the fun sights and sounds of halloween! Check out more information for this family friendly Halloween party here.

Event includes:
Trick-or-Treat Candy Station
Face Painting Station
Photo Op Station
Food available for purchase from the Dogs on Wheels food truck

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4-5TH. 9am-5pm. Lake Forest Elementary School.

Elegant Elf Marketplace

The 6th annual Elegant Elf Marketplace, presented by the Sandy Springs Society, returns on this year Saturday, November 5 – Sunday, November 6 showcasing over 85 carefully selected local and regional vendors.

Adding to the experience are holiday performances and seasonal music from local school and civic groups, book signings by Emily Giffin and Walter Reeves, chef demonstrations by Souper Jenny and Chef Yuji Kurimaru of Bishoku, festive raffle packages and even a signature lunch at the Polar Express Café. Please visit www.sandyspringssociety.org for more information.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH. 7am. Lake Forest Elementary School. 

Footprints for the Future 5K Run


Sandy Springs Education Force presents its 3rd Annual Footprints for the Future 5K, a certified Peachtree Road Race Qualifier featuring a NEW faster, flatter course winding through Sandy Springs near City Walk.  NEW this year – our 40-Yard Dash for ages 18 and under!

The event also includes a pre-race warm-up, a DJ, refreshments, vendor booths and SWAG bags full of giveaways from our community supporters. 

Proceeds benefit SSEF’s nonprofit mission of providing educational/enrichment programs that inspire and support all Sandy Springs public school students to graduate and pursue productive lives beyond high school. 

Bring your friends and neighbors, and help SSEF create a bright future for all Sandy Springs children! 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH. 11am-7pm. Concourse Corporate Center Lawn
Peachtree Dunwoody, Hammond. 

TASTE OF THE TRUCKS

Second Helpings Atlanta proudly announces its first annual TASTE OF THE TRUCKS event, a fabulous food truck festival featuring more than 15 of Atlanta’s favorite food trucks serving enticing food and delicious tapas. An extensive Arts and Crafts Market, great live music and an entertaining Kids Zone are part of this family-friend event. Children of all ages can participate in a community service project assembling bag lunches and decorating bags that will be delivered to SHA Partner Agencies.

Proceeds from TASTE OF THE TRUCKS will support SHA’s continued growth and the vitally important work the organization does in the community throughout the year.  General admission tickets are $5 in advance, and $10 at the door. Free parking is available; for a small additional fee, valet service and access to a VIP Tent are offered. To purchase tickets, or get more information click on these links. 

TUESDAY, November 15TH. 6pmSandy Springs City Hall.

City Council Meeting


The City Council meets to conduct city business. Agendas and minutes for this meeting are located on the main page of the Public Meetings Calendar - please scroll to the end of the page.  

If you are interested in reading the Week in Review provided by the City Manager regarding work activity on behalf of the community, you can access it here for the week ending in October 21st. If you missed any of the weeks in review, you can access all of them from the City's website here.


As always, please direct your questions and comments to me at cburnett@sandyspringsga.gov. Best wishes for a wonderful week.

Chris Burnett