Milton County Re-creation Proposals in Fulton County, Georgia
Fulton County stands as one of Georgia's most significant administrative regions, housing 10 percent of the state's total population. To put its scale into perspective, Fulton County is more populous than eight U.S. states and the District of Columbia. One of its most unique characteristics is its school district, which is the only non-contiguous district in Georgia, featuring a 17-mile (27 km) gap—occupied by the Atlanta Public Schools—separating the northern and southern sections.
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The Movement to Restore Milton County
In recent years, a movement has emerged among residents of north Fulton County to re-create Milton County. This proposal seeks to carve out a new county comprising several of Georgia's most prominent cities. The proposed boundaries would include Roswell (7th largest), Sandy Springs (8th), Johns Creek (12th), Alpharetta (13th), and Milton (54th), along with the community of Mountain Park.
The financial feasibility of this move was examined in a February 2009 study. This research was a collaborative effort between the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, which provided a positive analysis regarding the financial viability of a re-created Milton County.
Legal and Constitutional Hurdles
Despite the financial outlook, the path to re-creation is blocked by the Georgia state constitution. Since a merger in 1932, the state has been limited to exactly 159 counties. To establish a new county, a constitutional amendment is required, which must meet two strict criteria:
- Support from two-thirds of each house in the Georgia General Assembly.
- Approval by over half of all voters statewide in a referendum.
Historically, these hurdles have shaped various legislative attempts. A 2005 bill that proposed including Sandy Springs in the new county even suggested renaming the remaining portion of Fulton County as "Atlanta County."
Legislative Efforts and Political Debate
Legislators have made several attempts to bypass the 159-county limit. On January 9, 2007, State Representative Jan Jones and other representatives introduced HR 12. This bill proposed amending the constitution to allow the legislature to re-create previous counties if ratified by voters within the proposed area, specifically excluding voters in the remaining parts of Fulton County from the vote.
Following the 2009 University of Georgia study, the effort continued with the introduction of HR 21 and SR 392. On February 18, 2009, HR 21 was reported favorably out of committee with a 7–1 vote. The proposal saw support from Reps. Jan Jones and Mark Burkhalter, as well as Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley. However, it faced opposition from lobbyists for Fulton County and the City of Atlanta, as well as Robert Hunter, the Commissioner of the Atlanta Dept of Watershed Management.
By 2010, Jan Jones—who resides in the city of Milton—served as the speaker pro tempore of the Georgia House and was expected to lead the push for the new county. However, as of October 2021, no further proposals have been advanced.
Key Facts
- Population Scale: Fulton County is more populous than eight U.S. states.
- Proposed Cities: The new Milton County would include Roswell, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, and Mountain Park.
- Constitutional Limit: Georgia is limited to 159 counties by its state constitution.
- Approval Process: Re-creation requires a two-thirds legislative majority and a statewide popular vote.
- Financial Viability: A 2009 joint study by UGA and GSU found the proposal to be financially viable.
| Legislative Action | Year | Key Objective/Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Bill | 2005 | Proposed Sandy Springs inclusion; suggested renaming remainder "Atlanta County." |
| HR 12 | 2007 | Proposed allowing re-creation of former counties regardless of the 159-county limit. |
| UGA/GSU Study | 2009 | Confirmed financial viability of the proposed Milton County. |
| HR 21 / SR 392 | 2009 | Resolution to ease the political path for county resurrection; HR 21 passed committee 7–1. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't Georgia simply create a new county?
The Georgia state constitution prohibits having more than 159 counties, a limit in place since 1932. Any increase would require a constitutional amendment approved by the General Assembly and a statewide referendum.
Which cities would be part of the proposed Milton County?
The proposal includes Roswell, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, and Mountain Park.
Was the proposed Milton County financially sustainable?
Yes, a February 2009 study conducted by the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies gave a positive analysis of its financial viability.
Who opposed the re-creation of Milton County?
Opposition included lobbyists for Fulton County and the City of Atlanta, as well as the Commissioner of the Atlanta Dept of Watershed Management.
What is the current status of these proposals?
While there were significant legislative pushes between 2005 and 2010, as of October 2021, no new proposals have been advanced.