South Fulton reports large revenue, staffing and public-safety investments since incorporation

Mayor Kobe said the City of South Fultons revenues rose from about $26,000,000 in 2017 to nearly $260,000,000 in 2025 and credited that growth to diversified revenue streams rather than property-tax increases. "Unlike the past where property taxes made up over 40% of our city's budget, property taxes today account for only about a quarter of our city's budget," he said.

Kobe said the city began with a single employee at incorporation and has grown to nearly 800 employees across 17 departments in 2025. He highlighted capital spending: more than $63,000,000 on repaving roads and rebuilding bridges; millions spent on upgrading the police department including $7,000,000+ last year alone; purchases of six fire apparatus and investments in nine upgraded or repaired fire stations and a custom hazmat unit; and procurement of two sets of turnout gear for firefighters.

The mayor also provided public-safety and court statistics: police and fire responded to 20,419 calls last year; the municipal court heard 14,284 cases last year; since April 2023 the city has enrolled 143 first-time shoplifting defendants in a restorative "stocklifters" program and enrolled more than 550 young people in defensive-driver education.

Discussion versus decision: These are status and budgetary claims made by the mayor, not formal budget approvals or council votes presented in the address. Specific line-item authorizations or expenditures were not detailed in the speech and would require budget documents for verification.

What’s next: The mayor thanked City Manager Sharon Souvedan (also referenced as "Miss Soubadan" in remarks) for stabilizing city management and noted ongoing operational investments and staffing efforts.