17-R-3219
A RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMEMBERS FELICIA A. MOORE, MARY NORWOOD AND ANDRE
DICKENS REQUESTING THAT IF A PROPOSAL IS CONSIDERED BY THE GEORGIA GENERAL
ASSEMBLY TO INCREASE THE CITY OF ATLANTA SALES TAX BY ONE-TENTH OF A PENNY
TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ARTS AND CULTURE, THAT THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSMEBLY
WILL ALSO CONSIDER ADDING THE AUTHORIZATION TO SPEND A PORTION OF SAID SALES
TAX FOR PUBLIC SAFETY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, sales tax increases are regressive and will have the effect of hurting those on the
lower level on the income spectrum; and
WHEREAS, consequently, special care and consideration should be taken when considering the
intended purposes of any tax increase; and
WHEREAS, On November 8, 2015, City of Atlanta residents voted to implement an additional fourtenths of a penny or an additional4 cents on a $10 purchase to fund significant and expansive
transportation projects citywide; and
WHEREAS, in addition, City of Atlanta residents also voted to implement a half-penny sales tax for
transit expansion and enhancements over a period of forty years, increasing the City's threshold to
impose a sales tax to 9 percent; and
WHEREAS, currently the City of Atlanta has a one-tenth capacity to reach a sales tax of 9 percent; and
WHEREAS, raising the City's sales tax to 9 percent will make the City of Atlanta sale tax the
highest sales tax in the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, on Tuesday, January 24,2017, Mayor Reed announced that the City would petition the
Georgia General Assembly to authorize a: referendum to City residents in November, to raise the
City's sales tax by an additional one-tenth of a penny to provide a dedicated source of funding to arts
and culture; and
WHEREAS, if authorized, the tax is estimated to raise approximately $12 million- $14 million
annually; and
WHEREAS, it would be in the best interest of the Atlanta City Council to in addition to the arts,
consider and discuss appropriating a dedicated funding source for public safety initiatives designed to
keep City of Atlanta residents safe.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, that the
Atlanta City Council requests that if the Georgia General Assembly authorizes a referendum
allowing the City of Atlanta to consider the imposition of a one-tenth sales tax dedicated to arts and
culture, that the Georgia General Assembly also provide authorization to spend a portion of said
sales tax for public safety initiatives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval by the Georgia General Assembly, prior to the
referendum authorizing any one-tenth sales tax, the Atlanta City Council will: (1) develop a list of
projects and (2) percentages to be allocated to public safety and arts funding.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that all resolutions and part of resolutions in conflict herewith are
hereby waived to the extent of the conflict.
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CITY COUNCIL
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
17-R-3219
SPONSOR SIGNATURES
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CITY COUNCIL
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
17-R-3219
A RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMEMBERS FELICIA A. MOORE, MARY NORWOOD AND ANDRE
DICKENS REQUESTING THAT IF A PROPOSAL IS CONSIDERED BY THE GEORGIA GENERAL
ASSEMBLY TO INCREASE THE CITY OF ATLANTA SALES TAX BY ONE-TENTH OF A PENNY
TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ARTS AND CULTURE, THAT THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSMEBLY
WILL ALSO CONSIDER ADDING THE AUTHORIZATION TO SPEND A PORTION OF SAID SALES
TAX FOR PUBLIC SAFETY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Workflow List:
Clerk of Council
Atlanta City Council
Finance/Executive Committee
Mayor's Office
Completed
Completed
Pending
Pending
02/21/2017 1:52 PM
02/20/2017 1:00 PM
03/01/2017 1:00 PM
LEGISLATION HISTORY – BLUE BACK
HISTORY:
02/20/17
RESULT:
Atlanta City Council
REFERRED WITHOUT OBJECTION
Last Updated: 02/23/17
REFERRED WITHOUT OBJECTION
Next: 3/1/2017 1:00 PM
17-R-3219
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17-R-3219
A RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMEMBERS FELICIA A. MOORE, MARY NORWOOD AND
ANDRE DICKENS REQUESTING THAT IF A PROPOSAL IS CONSIDERED BY THE GEORGIA
GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO INCREASE THE CITY OF ATLANTA SALES TAX BY ONE-TENTH
OF A PENNY TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ARTS AND CULTURE, THAT THE GEORGIA
GENERAL ASSMEBLY WILL ALSO CONSIDER ADDING THE AUTHORIZATION TO SPEND A
PORTION OF SAID SALES TAX FOR PUBLIC SAFETY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
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Certified by Presiding Officer
Certified by Clerk
Mayor’s Action
See Authentication Page Attachment
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17-R-3219
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