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Residents press council for p‑card transparency, internal auditor and limits on international travel; council adds review to agenda
Summary
Multiple residents and neighborhood organizers demanded public‑records disclosure, a city internal auditor and stricter controls for purchase cards and internationally funded travel. City council voted unanimously to amend the agenda to add a PCAR (purchase‑card) and international travel policy discussion after council comments.
Residents at the Jan. 14 City Council meeting demanded greater financial oversight after a wave of public attention to elected officials' purchase‑card activity and international travel. Speakers asked the council to adopt stronger pre‑authorization, an internal auditor and an ethics review to monitor PCARD use.
Citizen comments Rashard Snellings (District 1) told council he had submitted a public request for all purchase‑card statements and proposed a public audit, saying controls had failed. “Over the next 30 days, the top priority should be the international travel policy, revisions to the p card policy, and hiring an internal auditor,” Snellings said.
Other speakers echoed calls for transparency and accountability. Jewel Johnson said South Fulton faces pressing social needs and urged careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Patricia Wise and Ellen Miller Matt urged formal pre‑authorization for international travel expenses and called for consequences for misuse. Connie Robinson, speaking more broadly, urged civility and cooperation while also backing stronger oversight.
Council action Council then considered a procedural motion to amend the published agenda to add a discussion about PCAR (purchase‑card) use and international travel policy after council comments. The motion was moved and seconded and later recorded as approved unanimously (7‑0).
Why it matters Speakers framed the issue as one of public trust: p‑card and travel spending are public dollars, and residents asked for an internal auditor or citizen oversight to ensure funds are used appropriately. The council’s unanimous vote to add a policy discussion signals that council will take up the topic at a scheduled point in the meeting; it does not itself change policy.
Next steps Council added the PCAR and international travel item to the agenda for discussion after council comments; the transcript shows the motion carried 7‑0. Staff and council members said follow‑up work and policy revisions will be discussed in that agenda slot.
Ending Residents who raised the concerns said they will monitor the council’s policy review and expect concrete controls—pre‑authorization, an independent auditor and clear enforcement—to be proposed and adopted.
