Sandy Springs hires Fulton County to run Nov. 4 municipal election; runoff could cost city about $220,000

The Sandy Springs City Council on Aug. 5 authorized an ordinance appointing the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections to conduct the city’s November 4, 2025 general municipal election and, if needed, a Dec. 2, 2025 runoff under an intergovernmental agreement.

City Clerk Raquel Gonzalez told council Fulton County will provide staff, equipment and supplies for advanced and election‑day voting; the city’s role remains qualifying municipal candidates and publishing required ads. Gonzalez said the city will not incur costs for the Nov. 4 general municipal election because Fulton County is hosting countywide contests the same day; however, if a municipal‑only runoff is required on Dec. 2 the city would incur an approximate cost of $220,000 for that standalone runoff unless the county also hosts a county‑wide runoff.

Council members asked how the $220,000 estimate is funded and whether the motion authorizes the expense; the clerk said the cost was budgeted in the clerk’s office for FY26 and that the ordinance authorizes the runoff expense should one be required. Councilor Melissa Mueller asked how the county sets the prorated fee; staff explained it is based on the number of registered voters in the municipality. Gonzalez said Sandy Springs had about 83,000 registered voters as of Jan. 31, 2025 for proration.

Motion and vote: Councilmember Jody Rochelle moved approval; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will execute the intergovernmental agreement with Fulton County and coordinate candidate qualification and legal notices. If a runoff is required, staff will process the payment per the IGA and notify council and voters.