Moraima “Mo” Ivory plans to focus on Fulton County’s budget, jail conditions, courts and health care when she takes office as commission chair in January.

Ivory won the Nov. 3 election with 75% of the vote over Republican Eric Tatum, according to Fulton Neighbor. She is the first Black woman and first Latina elected to chair the seven-member board.

The election will bring new occupants to five commission seats, including the chairmanship. In District 1, which includes parts of Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs, Democrat Maggie Goldman defeated Republican incumbent Bridget Thorne with about 57% of the vote.

Budget review comes first

Ivory told SaportaReport in an election-night interview that approving a budget would be her first task in January.

She also wants to use her first 100 days to examine county operations, purchasing and spending. That review could include a forensic audit intended to give the incoming leadership a clearer picture of county finances.

Fulton encountered financial uncertainty earlier this year when a backlog of property records delayed completion of its tax digest. Appen Media reported that commissioners voted July 15 to seek court permission for interim tax collections. Officials warned that delayed revenue could threaten payroll and debt payments.

Jail plans remain under review

Ivory has identified court funding as part of the solution to jail overcrowding. Her position is that moving cases through the justice system more efficiently can reduce the number of people awaiting resolution behind bars.

SaportaReport reported that she supports building a new jail and pursuing the Atlanta City Detention Center. In a later FOX 5 interview, however, Ivory said the possibility of buying the city facility warrants another look at existing construction plans.

According to SaportaReport’s election coverage, she plans to meet with Sheriff Patrick Labat and officials in the district attorney’s, solicitor’s and magistrate court offices. A specific construction decision remains unresolved.

Grady South expansion

Ivory also wants to advance health care access in southern Fulton County, where Grady is developing a medical campus in Union City.

According to Grady Health System, the campus’s emergency department is open. A medical office building is scheduled for early 2028, followed by a 200-bed acute care hospital in early 2031.

Grady’s campus announcement estimated the development would cost more than $1 billion. Fulton County is contributing $300 million in bond funding, with the balance coming from Grady financing and philanthropy.

New leadership takes shape

Ivory is an attorney and Georgia State University law professor who began serving as District 4 commissioner in January 2025. Rough Draft Atlanta reported that she resigned March 6, 2026, to run for chair. She defeated incumbent Robb Pitts in the June Democratic primary runoff.

Beyond the budget, courts and health care, Ivory has proposed stronger affordable housing partnerships with Fulton’s 15 cities and efforts to identify additional funding.

Rohit Malhotra won the special election for her former District 4 seat with about 67% of the vote. SaportaReport reported that he can take office before the commissioners whose terms begin in January, with his first scheduled board meeting on Dec. 2.