Sandy Springs voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to authorize new redevelopment tools and renew two sales taxes supporting transportation and school facilities.

The redevelopment referendum would give the city authority to consider tax allocation districts, or TADs. The separate TSPLOST and ESPLOST questions would continue existing taxes rather than increase their rates.

The Sandy Springs City Council unanimously supported putting redevelopment powers before voters at its March 17 meeting, Rough Draft Atlanta reported.

House Bill 1535, sponsored by state Reps. Deborah Silcox, Esther Panitch, Betsy Holland and Shea Roberts, subsequently became law and authorized the referendum.

Approval would allow Sandy Springs to evaluate financing mechanisms under Georgia’s Redevelopment Powers Law. A TAD generally directs future growth in property tax revenue within a designated area toward redevelopment costs.

The referendum itself would not establish a district, issue bonds, increase taxes or approve a project, according to the city’s elections page. Future proposals would require public review and separate approvals. Other taxing authorities would have to consent before their revenue could be included.

City officials have discussed redevelopment along the North End’s Roswell Road corridor for years. Rough Draft reported that a KB Advisory Group analysis found commercial rents there lagged behind other parts of Sandy Springs and office vacancies had increased over 15 years.

The city says redevelopment powers were omitted from its original 2005 charter, which focused on establishing municipal government and core services.

The transportation question would renew the existing 0.75% Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for another five years. It applies in Fulton County outside Atlanta and supports roads, sidewalks, traffic safety and other transportation improvements.

Sandy Springs’ projected share is approximately $112.3 million if collections meet the forecast. Its proposed program totals $129.2 million across three funding tiers, with the full amount dependent on collections reaching 115% of the forecast, according to the official allocation agreement.

Tier 1 totals $95.5 million and is planned around 85% of forecast revenue. Major projects include:

  • $44.6 million for the second phase of Hammond Drive corridor improvements.
  • $16 million for sidewalks.
  • $6.1 million for the Roswell Road–Morgan Falls Road intersection.
  • $5 million for bridge improvements and replacements.

Tier 2 adds approximately $16.9 million, bringing the program to the baseline forecast. Tier 3 adds another $16.9 million if collections reach the higher target. Project descriptions are available on the city’s TSPLOST page.

If voters reject renewal, the current transportation tax expires in March 2027.

The education question would renew the existing 1% Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax beginning July 1, 2027, for up to five years.

The official election notice sets a collection ceiling of approximately $2.1 billion for projects serving Fulton County Schools and Atlanta Public Schools.

Eligible uses include construction, renovations, safety systems, technology and buses. The money cannot cover teacher salaries or routine operating expenses. Approval would also authorize APS to issue up to $350 million in general obligation bonds for its projects.

A rejection would allow the current education sales tax to expire in June 2027.

Early voting continues through Friday, Oct. 30, with weekday hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Locations include the Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, and North Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road, according to Fulton County.

Election Day polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must use their assigned precinct that day and can confirm its location through the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.