City History

With roots dating back to the 1800s, Sandy Springs began as a watering stop for Native Americans who visited the natural springs in the area. As settlers moved into the area, Sandy Springs grew into a community. Today, the City reflects traditional Southern charm while providing efficient and responsive services for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The City of Sandy Springs incorporated in 2005. It is one of the largest cities in Georgia and one of the largest cities in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Incorporation

Efforts to incorporate Sandy Springs began in 1966 in response to attempts by the City of Atlanta to annex the unincorporated area of north Fulton County. Sandy Springs residents, led by Eva Galambos, worked for 40 years to establish their own local government. In June 2005, 94 percent of residents voted in favor of incorporation. Shortly afterward, voters returned to the polls and elected Galambos as the City's first mayor.

Before incorporation, residents relied on Fulton County government for local services. Many residents believed this structure did not adequately meet the community's needs. These concerns helped build support for a streamlined local government located closer to residents and more responsive to community priorities.

Sandy Springs initially used a public-private partnership (P3) model, with many City services provided through private-sector partners. In 2010, the City moved from a single-service provider to contracts with multiple private companies, saving an estimated $7 million per year. In 2018, the City transitioned department head positions from contract roles to City-held positions.

In 2019, the City Council approved moving General City Services, including Public Works, Community Development, Finance, Information Technology (IT), Communications, Facilities, Recreation and Parks, Municipal Court, and Economic Development, from contracted services to City-held positions. This change was projected to save more than $14 million over five years compared with proposed private-sector partner costs.

Since Sandy Springs incorporated, several other metro Atlanta cities have formed, including Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Chattahoochee Hills, Peachtree Corners, Milton, Johns Creek, and South Fulton.

Public-Private Partnership

Learn more about Sandy Springs' pioneering system of local government on the Public-Private Partnership page.

Founding Mayor Eva Galambos

Learn more about the City's founding mayor on the Founding Mayor Eva Galambos page.