Two new cities, Stonecrest and South Fulton, form to Atlanta’s south

Jason Lary, the chairman for Stonecrest Yes, talks about why he believes the area should become a city at Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia on Tuesday, October 4, 2016. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM AJC File Photo

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Jason Lary, the chairman for Stonecrest Yes, talks about why he believes the area should become a city at Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia on Tuesday, October 4, 2016. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM AJC File Photo

After years of watching cities created on the north side of metro Atlanta, voters on the south side decided it was their turn.

On Election Day, voters approved the cities of South Fulton and Stonecrest, bringing a combined 150,000 people within their borders. They'll become the ninth and 10th cities formed in the region since Sandy Springs launched the incorporation trend in 2005.

The formation will mean even more government bodies that will need to communicate and coordinate about the region’s future.

Like cities that came before, supporters of South Fulton and Stonecrest say they want more control of their tax money and government. They believe incorporation will bring more business growth and better services than county governments could provide.

To read more about the benefits for these new cities, and the challenges they face, click here.