City Reveals Budget, Hears Complaints

The revealed its 2013 budget, which shows gains in the general fund and balances in all other areas, during the meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen's meeting Thursday evening.

According to City Manager Brian Bulthuis, the city's general fund will generate revenue of $10,945,538 and spend $10,945,150, leaving the city with revenues over expenditures of $388. City staff has tentatively recommended keeping the current millage rate at 7.6 mills, with a final ruling on the rate coming in July.

The city's power fund is projected to lose some money in 2013, with revenues coming in at $12,298,000 and expenditures of $13,335,000. The city plans to use $36,000 in fund equity, with Bulthuis adding that the city has more than enough to cover the shortfall.

“We essentially look at that as a balanced budget when you're talking $13 million,” Bulthuis said.

To cover the increasing costs of sanitation, including the purchase of a new, $175,000 sanitation truck, the sanitation fee will increase 25 cents to $19 in August or September.

Despite property tax assessments going down seven percent, the city is not recommending and furloughs or layoffs at the current time. The city managed to balance the budget in light of these circumstances by cutting capital purchases.

The normally quiet public comment session was abuzz with residents from Seminole Drive, who are seeking a solution from City Hall regarding the traffic and parking impasse that stems from visitors to Lake Acworth on summer weekends.

Due to the rerouting of traffic to accommodate visitors to Lake Acworth and , Seminole Drive residents must use Beach Street to get home. Visitors consider Beach Street a parking lot, which reduces visibility and presents a safety hazard as children and careless pedestrians dart in and out of traffic.

Residents proposed several solutions to eliminate through traffic, including blocking Seminole Drive where it intersects with the parking area and opening the intersection with Dallas Street. Another proposed solution was to have someone operate the chain barricade and permit Seminole Drive residents access to their homes from this route.

Representatives from NAI Brannen Goddard, a commercial real estate company, pitched their plan for the “City Place at Baker Road” mixed used development that would be constructed at Baker Road and Northridge Drive. The site, once a truck stop, has been abandoned for over 17 years and there are fears the site will remain undeveloped in the face of a new shopping complex being built nearby in Cherokee County. The proposed multi-family, high end complex has received support from nearby landowners and business owners, hoping the development will bring more customers and more new businesses to the area.

Due to concerns regarding rezoning the parcel from multi-use commercial to mixed-use commercial, the staff led by Community Development Director Christine Dobbs recommended rejecting the proposal. Despite a stern questioning from Alderman Bob Weatherford and the support of Alderman Butch Price, the ordinance to rezone the parcel was defeated three to two.

The city unanimously passed the consent agenda for the meeting. It may be read here.