Water, Schools, and Redevelopment: Where Sandy Springs Mayoral Candidates Stand in 2025

Water, Schools, and Redevelopment: Where Sandy Springs Mayoral Candidates Stand in 2025

The race for Sandy Springs mayor is heating up, and it’s about much more than politics. At stake are issues that directly impact property values, lifestyle, and the city’s overall future—especially in three key areas: water, schools, and redevelopment.

Whether you’re a resident, buyer, seller, or investor, knowing what each candidate is proposing gives you a clearer picture of where Sandy Springs might be headed.

Rusty Paul

Rusty Paul is the current mayor, seeking a fourth term. He’s pointing to past accomplishments like the creation of City Springs and the new police headquarters, but he’s also sharing detailed plans for what comes next.

One of Paul’s biggest recent pushes involves the city’s water rates. Sandy Springs currently gets its water from the City of Atlanta, and a recent legal decision ruled that Atlanta has been overcharging residents through unnecessary surcharges. Paul has said this ruling could lead to a more fair and independent water agreement—potentially saving homeowners more than 20 percent on their water bills. While a full city-owned system isn’t on the table yet, the mayor is working to gain more local control over water costs and delivery.

On redevelopment, Paul acknowledges stalled progress in the North End, including vacant commercial areas and outdated apartment complexes. He supports the creation of tax allocation districts (TADs) to encourage investment and fund needed infrastructure improvements like roads and parks.

Regarding schools, Paul is more cautious. While some residents support the idea of a separate Sandy Springs school district, he has noted that this would require an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution—a process that is extremely unlikely to happen in the near future. Instead, he has pointed to options like charter schools and educational partnerships.

Jody Reichel

Councilmember Jody Reichel is running on a platform that emphasizes livability and local control. One of her key positions is her strong support for creating a standalone Sandy Springs school district. She argues that the city needs more direct control over school performance, facilities, and leadership, particularly after closures like Spalding Drive Elementary. However, it’s important to note that forming a new school district would require a constitutional amendment at the state level. That means even with local support, the change would face years of legislative hurdles.

On the housing and redevelopment front, Reichel has been vocal about turning underutilized apartments into owner-occupied housing and family-friendly mixed-use developments. She believes Sandy Springs needs to shift away from aging rental-heavy areas and toward communities that attract long-term residents and local businesses.

Water has not been a central focus of her campaign, though she has mentioned the need to modernize infrastructure across the city.

Andy Bauman

Andy Bauman is a longtime city councilmember and one of the more policy-focused voices in the race. He has promised to serve only two terms if elected and is positioning himself as a forward-looking, collaborative leader.

On redevelopment, Bauman agrees the North End needs urgent attention and believes the city has missed opportunities in the past. He supports public-private partnerships to bring in new investment, repurpose vacant properties, and activate underused spaces with community events and services.

Bauman is more skeptical about the practicality of creating a new school district. While not ruling it out, he emphasizes that the financial and legal hurdles are steep, and says the city should also focus on broader quality-of-life factors like housing, traffic, and affordability that directly affect families.

He has not made water a major issue in his campaign, but he has acknowledged the need for transparent infrastructure planning that benefits all neighborhoods.

Dontaye Carter

Dontaye Carter, a journalist and business owner, is new to city government but has been actively sharing his ideas for more inclusive, resident-driven leadership.

When it comes to redevelopment, Carter emphasizes the importance of listening to those most affected—especially renters and apartment residents in the North End. He wants to form a housing advisory committee to bring more perspectives into the city’s planning process and ensure that redevelopment projects reflect the needs of everyone, not just developers or homeowners.

Carter is also focused on strengthening public education, but rather than pushing for a new school district, he advocates for improving the schools that already exist through better parental engagement, stronger leadership, and local partnerships.

On water, Carter has not publicly taken a position on separating from the City of Atlanta or changing the water system, but he has emphasized transparency and fairness in city services.

Sandy Springs is entering a defining chapter. The candidates running for mayor are offering different ideas for how to manage the city’s next stage of growth, especially around water, schools, and redevelopment.

• Rusty Paul is pushing for water rate reform, infrastructure investment, and a steady hand on redevelopment.

• Jody Reichel is leading on the push for a new school district and wants more family-focused housing.

• Andy Bauman is focused on long-term planning, unlocking development potential, and practical problem solving.

• Dontaye Carter is prioritizing inclusion, public engagement, and transparency in every corner of city life.

For residents and anyone involved in real estate, these decisions matter. Whether or not you vote in the election, the outcomes will shape how Sandy Springs looks, feels, and grows in the years ahead.