Don’t expect any more new cities to pop up in metro Atlanta this year.
Proposed municipalities must go through a two-year review process before lawmakers will consider passing them, according to a new rule passed by the Georgia Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee.
The rule could put a pause on incorporations after three cities — South Fulton, Stonecrest and Tucker — were created in the last two years. In all, 10 cities have formed in DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties since 2005.
Cityhood bills must be introduced in the first year of the Georgia General Assembly's two-year term, which is this year, according to the rule. Then in the second year, cityhood bills would be considered for recommendation to the full Senate.
“If it’s not presented in the first year, it’s not going anywhere in the second year,” said Sen. Gloria Butler, D-Stone Mountain, a member of the committee. “We want to give two years to ... have good debate and discussions so that everybody is clear about what’s going on.”
No cityhood bills have been introduced so far in this year’s legislative session.
Supporters of the proposed city of Greenhaven in southwest DeKalb are considering how to move forward after their legislation failed last year.
Separately, the city of Prosperity, also located in southwest DeKalb, is being proposed by Commissioner Larry Johnson.
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