The City of East Point announced last week its intentions for annexation into unincorporated South Fulton County. Not only do those plans more than double the size of the existing city, they also overlap with the annexation plans of Union City.

East Point currently consists of 8,832 acres. Annexation plans, if successful, would add approximately 9,500 additional acres within city limits, more than doubling the city’s size. The proposed annexation area includes approximately 3,000 parcels, Welcome All Park, Delano Park, an industrial park along South Fulton Parkway, industrial-zoned properties along Roosevelt Highway, one fire station and the former Public Safety Training facility.

The East Point City Council-approved plan calls for the proposed annexation to be accomplished in two areas, located to the west and, particularly, to the southwest of the city. The proposed extension of East Point city limits would add approximately 6,000 residents to the city, according to information provided by East Point. Annexation Area 1, by far the largest of the two geographically, is bounded by Camp Creek Parkway on the north and Butner Road to the intersection of Union Road on and northwest. Area 1 also includes Union Road to the intersection of Stonewall Tell Road on the west side. The proposed annexation area moves south past the South Fulton Parkway, touching the current limits of Union City. The plan also wraps around to the area south and east of East Point, up to the city limits of College Park.

Annexation Area 1A is a much smaller geographic area. It is bounded by Camp Creek Parkway on the north, Enon Road to the intersection of Stonewall Tell Road on the west and Butner Road on the south and east. Geographically, Area 1A is situated at the northwest tip of Area 1.

A portion of the area proposed for annexation overlays part of the same area proposed for annexation by Union City. That area is situated south of South Fulton Parkway, including a small area immediately adjacent to a portion of the northeast side of the current city limits of Union City at the Roosevelt Highway area. The conflicting area area includes both sides of Roosevelt Highway and east to the city limits of College Park.

East Point is the first of the South Fulton cities interested in annexation to spell out the fiscal ramifications of the proposal. The figures would take effect once the annexed areas begin paying city taxes in 2007. Again separating the proposals into Phase 1 and Phase 1A, revenues are expected to exceed expenditures by $539,926. Revenues for Phase 1 properties from property taxes, city sales tax and sanitation fees were projected at $5,2081,433 while expenditures for city services including fire, police, parks and recreation, public works and sanitation totaled $3,440,389, a net positive difference of $1,768,054. For Phase 1A properties, revenues were projected at $815,771 while expenditures were listed at $2,043,839, a new deficit of $1,228,128. The two areas combined would generate $6,024,154 in revenues and require expenditures of $5,484,228, a net positive difference of $539,926. Aside from city taxes, annexed residents would also pay a city sanitation fee. East Point’s current city tax rate in 12.369 mills.

Like other South Fulton County cities, East Point has a legislatively-imposed date of Oct. 30 to complete all annexation attempts. successful annexations require approval from 60 percent of registered voters and 60 percent of property owners.

A map of the proposed annexation areas along with fiscal and other information provided by East Point can be obtained at the city Web site at www.eastpointcity.org

A map of the annexation proposals for Palmetto, Union City, Fairburn and East Point can be viewed at www.southfultonconcernedcitizens.org

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