Fulton rejects Atlanta's offer on jail
The Fulton County Commission has rejected Atlanta's offer to sell its city jail to the county for $85 million.
After emerging from a closed meeting that lasted almost an hour, the panel voted unanimously to have County Manager Zachary Williams continue negotiating with the city.
Williams said the city gave the county two options. One was an $85 million purchase, financed over 15 years, and the other was for the county to lease the jail. In both scenarios, the county would lease inmate space to the city.
U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob has given commissioners 60 days to enter into a binding contract with Atlanta to purchase the jail to relieve overcrowding, or face incarceration in a federal penitentiary.
About the Author
Johnny Edwards, a member of the AJC’s investigative team, covers state and local government and private sector regulation.
