Atlanta, Fulton County strike deal on city jail

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and her staff have worked out a deal to sell the city's jail to Fulton County, which needs more space to house its own inmates.

The proposal calls for the county to pay Atlanta $41.7 million over the next 15 years for the jail, which is located downtown near Peachtree Street and I-20. The city would also allow the county to use four courtrooms in its municipal courthouse, which is located near the jail.

In turn, the county would set aside up to 400 of the roughly 1,300 beds at the jail for city inmates. Atlanta corrections officers would be considered first to be hired at the jail.

The city would allow Fulton County not to make a payment the first two years, in recognition of the county's budget troubles. The county is considering steep service cuts, furloughs and property tax increases as options for dealing with declining revenues.

Atlanta officials discussed the proposed arrangement publicly for the first time Wednesday during the City Council Finance/Executive Committee's meeting.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the deal Monday. Fulton commissioners must also approve the agreement.

Councilwoman Felicia Moore said the council needs more time to study the proposal and suggested it be put on hold until the new mayor takes office in January.

"I'm not sure this is the best deal," she said. "How do I know?"

Councilman Jim Maddox supports the arrangement.

"Any time there is an opportunity, in my judgment, with something you can work hand in hand [with another government], where it is a win-win, I think you should take that opportunity," he said.

Atlanta officials became interested in selling the jail in recent months to cut spending. City officials estimate Atlanta would save about $16.5 million a year through the lease agreement.

Fulton is under a federal consent decree to ease overcrowding and improve other conditions inside the county jail. Some county leaders have viewed the city jail as ideal space. The city jail is also located closer to the Fulton County Courthouse than the county jail.