Atlanta city council members explain their votes

How the City Council members voted and why

Carla Smith, District 1, YES

“It was the responsible thing to do. This doesn’t even fix everything. And nobody has a better solution.”

Kwanza Hall, District 2, NO

“The comfort level wasn’t there with my constituents.”

Ivory Lee Young, District 3, YES “It is the absolute last resort. … If you vote no, you’ve got to provide an explanation to what the alternatives are.”

Cleta Winslow, District 4, NO “I heard from my constituents. They can’t afford it. … It’s not going to end the [fire department] brownouts. It’s not going to open any new recreation centers.”

Natalyn Archibong, District 5, YES “We needed to restore our public safety personnel. And we needed to make sure our bond ratings aren’t downgraded. We need to provide basic services, and we are not doing that right now.”

Anne Fauver, District 6, YES “I’d like to challenge the people who voted no to find the cuts we need.”

Howard Shook, District 7, NO “My constituents don’t think that a property tax increase is a creative answer to somewhat tired old problems.”

Clair Muller, District 8, NO

“I was worried about a tipping point [of homeowners leaving] some areas of the city. It was hard.”

Felicia Moore, District 9, YES “I don’t know what else to do. I haven’t heard another solution. I can’t find another way to do it.”

C.T. Martin, District 10, YES

“Hopefully, we will have more creative innovations [in the future]. It’s clear we had no other viable options.”

Jim Maddox, District 11, NO

“I got a lot of calls from my constituents who asked me not to support it. … People are hurting. I think things are going to get better sooner than you think.”

Joyce Sheperd, District 12, YES “The No. 1 issue for me was police and fire, and making city services better. That’s what my constituents said they wanted.”

Ceasar Mitchell, At-Large, Post 1, YES “I pay taxes, like everyone else. No one wants a tax increase, but people want services.”

Mary Norwood, At-Large, Post 2, NO “We don’t have access to all the numbers. I was not willing to support a tax increase.”

Lamar Willis, At-Large, Post 3, NO “It was extremely difficult for me, as an at-large member, to support. People feel there’s tremendous mismanagement. The city didn’t look at all of its options aggressively.”

Lisa Borders, council president, only votes to break a tie “I endorse the action taken to approve a small increase in the tax bill for our residents in order to ensure vital city services.”

Compiled by Eric Stirgus

and D.L. Bennett

Mayor Shirley Franklin asked for the increase to close a $56 million gap to her proposed $541 million budget. The increase, she said, would end furloughs on city workers — particularly police officers and firefighters.

— Eric Stirgus

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