Sandy Springs officials have hired James Tolbert as assistant city manager for planning and neighborhood services.

Tolbert joins the city staff after serving as neighborhood services director for the city of Charlottesville, Va. and has an extensive background in urban planning.

Tolbert will oversee over see community development, parks and recreation and neighborhood outreach services, said City Manager John McDonough.

Tolbert is expected to work to balance the needs of neighborhoods with those of developers, as the city continues its surge of development.

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Savannah Chrisley, daughter of former reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, speaks outside the Federal Prison Camp on May 28, 2025, in Pensacola, Fla. President Donald Trump pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were found guilty of defrauding banks out of $36 million and hiding millions in earnings to avoid paying taxes. (Dan Anderson/AP)

Credit: Dan Anderson/AP