Greenspace Bond: Milton Prepares To Carry Out Will Of Voters

MILTON, GA -- Now that the citizens have spoken, the city of Milton is preparing for the next move in its bid to protect greenspace from development.

City voters during the Nov. 8 general election overwhelmingly approved the proposed greenspace bond referendum.

According to unofficial results from Georgia's Secretary of State's Office, a total of 12,811 votes, or 83 percent, were cast in favor of the proposal, as opposed to the 17 percent, or 2,630 votes, cast against the measure.

A majority of residents in all of the city's 19 precincts voted in favor of the referendum, those results indicate.

“The Milton citizens have spoken and we look forward to securing additional green space to help preserve Milton’s rural heritage," Mayor Joe Lockwood said.

Milton's greenspace bond is designed to address desires from the community to protect some land from development. As such, the city proposed $25 million in bonds, which will be used to acquire property for parks, trails and greenspace.

“Our residents have done their part," Lockwood continued. "Now our work begins. Our efforts to communicate with Milton residents throughout implementation must rival our voter education efforts for the referendum.”

Residents can expect the city to begin the bond issuance process and for the Council to kickoff efforts to form a land advisory committee.

City spokesperson Shannon Ferguson added the city's Communications Department will also develop a plan to ensure transparency and promote citizen engagement. Some of this will include using a dedicated webpage to keep citizens updated as well as utilizing e-communications, social media, traditional media, and grassroots efforts through events and strategic community partners.

You can get a detailed look at Greenspace Bond by clicking here.

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