Many towns and cities have tried this model and it doesn't work long-term.
But the privatized model has shown some cracks. Most cities that launched with scaled back over the years and brought many departments in-house. Sandy Springs itself had complaints of higher costs and lack of control over hiring and salaries, among other issues, and in a dramatic 2019 move reversed most of the outsourcing. Porter continues to believe that’s the wrong move and the path to “bureaucracy,” but says he can live with it for now.
saportareport.com
In the last 20 years, at least ten communities around Atlanta, Georgia decided to become their own cities. And more have attempted cityhood. They all want more say over local rules, and to keep more of their tax dollars for themselves.
One version of this movement's history starts with Oliver Porter, a retired telecom executive who led his own community of Sandy Springs to cityhood in 2005 and now advises others on how to do it. But the idea of splitting off and becoming a separate city – it actually dates back to the 1960s and has segregationist roots.
On today's show, a mostly Black and brown community tries to use cityhood for its own ends.
But the privatized model has shown some cracks. Most cities that launched with scaled back over the years and brought many departments in-house. Sandy Springs itself had complaints of higher costs and lack of control over hiring and salaries, among other issues, and in a dramatic 2019 move reversed most of the outsourcing. Porter continues to believe that’s the wrong move and the path to “bureaucracy,” but says he can live with it for now.
A founder of Sandy Springs’ privatized government advises Buckhead cityhood backers
We wouldn’t be talking about Buckhead cityhood if it wasn’t for the landmark 2005 incorporation of its north metro neighbor Sandy Springs amid similar tensions over political unity and government services.
saportareport.com
In the last 20 years, at least ten communities around Atlanta, Georgia decided to become their own cities. And more have attempted cityhood. They all want more say over local rules, and to keep more of their tax dollars for themselves.
One version of this movement's history starts with Oliver Porter, a retired telecom executive who led his own community of Sandy Springs to cityhood in 2005 and now advises others on how to do it. But the idea of splitting off and becoming a separate city – it actually dates back to the 1960s and has segregationist roots.
On today's show, a mostly Black and brown community tries to use cityhood for its own ends.
