February 13th 2025.
The South Fulton City Council has made a bold move by voting to limit Mayor Khalid Kamau's power and control over the city's budget. This decision comes after multiple accusations of spending without authorization and questionable international trips. The council made their announcement on Instagram, but the post has since been deleted.
During a public vote, the council decided to take away the mayor's city-issued vehicle, a $1,300 drone, a $20,000 media studio, and a $1,000 recreational pool table. These items must be returned by the end of Wednesday. The council also outlined additional directives to reduce the mayor's influence, including a ban on city employees interacting with Kamau without explicit permission from the City Manager.
Other changes include returning film studio equipment to the vendor or reassigning it to the Public Affairs Department, reallocating three Mac devices purchased for the mayor's office to the IT Department, and reclassifying the film and media manager position to report to the City Clerk. The council also changed the locks on the mayoral suite and revoked Kamau's access to all city facilities. Additionally, the electric vehicle assigned to the mayor will be reclaimed, and a travel allowance will be reinstated until a formal policy is established.
In response to these actions, Mayor Kamau has accused the council of staging a "coup" against him. He stated, "Last night's 1 am vote was a coup by seven people to overrule the votes of thousands who chose me as Mayor. I am heartbroken to see us more willing to fight each other than our real enemies." Kamau defended his spending and international travel, claiming that it was to promote South Fulton and attract investment.
However, the mayor's trips to destinations such as Colombia, Paris, and Ghana have been under scrutiny. The city spent $26,000 on these trips, which has sparked outrage among residents and officials. Kamau maintains that these trips were part of his strategy to attract global investment. He said, "We've been chasing Fortune 500 companies and getting warehouses and data centers. When I started talking about South Fulton as the Blackest city in America, we received invitations from all over the world."
Aside from travel expenses, reports have also revealed that Kamau spent $1,800 on a combination pool table and other office items. He also created a $20,000 media studio without authorization from the council. In response, the city council launched an audit and found over 100 unaccounted P-card transactions. Kamau defended his actions by creating a website to showcase receipts and photos from his trips, claiming transparency.
Council members have been vocal in their criticism of Kamau. District 3 Councilwoman Helen Willis called out the mayor for not informing the council about his activities. She said, "We are not tearing you down. You took your Black behind over to Africa for 20 days and didn't tell anybody."
The community's reaction to the council's actions has been mixed. Some residents applaud the council for holding the mayor accountable, while others see it as a politically motivated move. Despite the backlash, Kamau remains determined to seek re-election and has used public forums, such as his "Mayor Mondays" events, to explain his vision for South Fulton and refute the allegations against him.
As this controversy continues to unfold, the South Fulton City Council's decision marks a turning point in Kamau's tenure as mayor. The council plans to address the issue in upcoming meetings, but the mayor's ability to lead effectively is now in question. Kamau's focus remains on defending his record and regaining the community's support, but it remains to be seen if he can do so in time for the next election.
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