Sandy Springs battles with Sunday sales question

By Michelle E. Shaw

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos wants to make sure Fulton County election and school officials aren’t taking advantage of the city, should it decide to add the Sunday alcohol sales question to the November ballot.

During a recent city council work session, Galambos didn’t hold back when city attorney Wendell Willard informed the city council that placing the liquor referendum on the ballot would not be free.

“Why would they charge us, if they’re holding an election county wide?” Galambos asked Tuesday night. “It’s highway robbery.”

Sandy Springs is in a unique position because it does not have a general election in November, unlike its Northside neighbors Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek and Milton. Since these cities already have scheduled elections, it won’t cost them any more to add the Sunday sales question to the ballot, officials said.

But for Sandy Springs, the addition of the question makes it the equivalent of special election, even though the Fulton County school board will have a ballot. There is also the unanswered question of what costs would be incurred since the majority of the ballots are electronic.

The mayor on Thursday said she still questions why “ ... the addition of a printed line on the ballot would entail an expenditure.”

Fulton County election officials said that Sandy Springs would need to contract with the Fulton school board to have the referendum added to the ballot, since it is the school board is paying for the election.

Susan Hale, spokeswoman for Fulton Schools, said she could not provide any cost breakdown until after the board meeting next week.

Sandy Springs hopes to have the answers it needs by its Aug 16 meeting, said City Manager John McDonough.