During the city comission campaigns this past year, now-commissioner Patti Garrett brought up the issue of what would be done with remaining campaign funds after Election Day during a debate between the District 2 candidates.

We now have the answer.

According to December’s campaign disclosures obtained by DM, Ms. Garrett made a $500 donation to the parent organization of Decatur’s MLK Service Day Decatur Preservation Alliance with her remaining balance.  Of the $270 still left in the account, campaign chair Allison Adams explains that the campaign is leaving the funds in the account “in case something unexpected comes up.”  Ms. Adams also noted that there is still an outstanding loan of $750 to Garrett’s husband, Gary. (View full report here)

Ms. Garrett’s opponent, Kyle Williams also took to the act of donating, distributing every penny held by his campaign after expenses were paid to local groups.   During the months of November and December, Mr. Williams donated over $2,000 to various organizations in the Decatur and Atlanta area.  Donations were made to Decatur High School ($500), Decatur Seniors Helping Seniors ($964.56), Friends of Simone Bell ($400), and Neighbor in Need ($250). (View full report here)

On the northside in Decatur’s District 1, candidate James Radford used the $87 remaining in his account – after paying expenses – to pay back part of the loan he made to himself during the campaign. (View full report here)

His opponent Fred Boykin was the only city commission candidate to retain to sizable balance in his campaign fund.  Asked about his plans for the $3960, Mr. Boykin replied “I’ve let my campaign funds roll over from one campaign to the next and I will be doing that again this time too. When I decide not to run again, I’ll disperse the residual amount according to what seems proper (& the state says is legal).” (View full report here)