Box 13, Folder 8, Document 28

September 27, 1967

MEMORANDUM

To: Mr. Collier Gladin
From: R. Earl Landers

Pardon my delay in answering your memorandum of September
13th, I think that recent statements by the Mayor will answer
your question as to a possible bond issue in 1968,

As to the matter of seeking State legislation enabling us to isaue
general obligation bonds without a referendum, I offer the
following confidential opinion:

I think it would be a mistake for such legislation to be
approved as a Constitutional amendment for Fulton County
for the reason that this would put Fulton County in a
position to issue general obligation bonds contrary to our
wishes and to the detriment of the citizens inside the City
of Atlanta, without those citizens having an opportunity to
approve such an issue.

I refer specifically to possible sewer issues by Fulton
County. We have discussed many times the fact that it
would be extremely unfair for Fulton County to finance
its portion of needed capital improvements in the area f
of water pollution control by the issuance of general
obligation bonds, 80% of which would be paid by the citi-
zens of Atlanta, while those same Atlanta citizens are
paying sewer service charge to pay the City's pertion
for such capital improvements. Under the present setup,
Atlanta citizens would at least have the opportunity to
disapprove the issuance of such bonds.

I think we should make every effort to defeat thie Constitu-
tional amendment for Fulton County, and if we should
assume this position, we dould hardly at the same time
ask for such legislative approval for the City.

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