Atlanta’s top priority at Gold Dome: Stop Buckhead City Reimagined

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By Dyana Bagby

Atlanta Mayor Dickens and his administration plan to keep pushing hard against Buckhead cityhood efforts, making the issue its top legislative priority at the Georgia State Capitol this year.

The City Council recently adopted the mayor’s 2023 legislative package for the General Assembly that covers many topics, including the city maintaining ownership and control of Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and seeking more funding for affordable housing.

The city’s No. 1 legislative priority, however, is stopping any legislation that seeks to divide a “One United Atlanta.”

“Specifically, the city of Atlanta strongly opposes any legislation that would de-annex or provide oversight responsibilities for a proposed ‘City of Buckhead,’” the city said. “Deannexation would not reduce crime, have negative brand implications, set a dangerous precedent, and create higher, duplicative costs as well as chaos in our public schools.”

State Rep. Jon Burns (R-Newington), who was elected to replace the late David Ralston as Speaker of the House, told reporters in January he was skeptical about a push for Buckhead City. He praised the collaboration between Gov. Brian Kemp and Mayor Dickens to reduce crime and said he planned to give them more time to address public safety.

Dickens last year staved off the GOPled Buckhead cityhood movement in the General Assembly after former Lt. Gov.

Geoff Duncan and Ralston opposed the idea. The Republican leaders said they wanted to give the newly elected mayor a chance to address spikes in crime, a driving force behind the Buckhead City Committee’s campaign to secede from Atlanta.

During his first year in office, Dickens worked to quell talks of a Buckhead City.

He supported the contentious lease of the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County to help with overcrowding at the county’s jails. The city opened a new minipolice precinct in Buckhead Village during a ceremony with Gov. Kemp participating.

Dickens also backs the controversial construction of a $90 million public safety training center in DeKalb County. He hired Darin Schierbaum, a popular figure, as police chief. He regularly touts Atlanta Police Department data that shows crime is down double digits in Buckhead.

Many business and civic leaders also spoke out against Buckhead City last year. The Committee for a United Atlanta, co-chaired by former state representative Ed Lindsey and attorney Linda Klein, was formed to counter the Buckhead City Committee’s campaign.