Merkel To Run For Reelection On Alpharetta City Council

ALPHARETTA, GA — Alpharetta City Councilman Dan Merkel announced his intentions to run for reelection this week. Merkel, originally elected in 2015, will be running for his second term for post six.

“There are a lot of great things happening in Alpharetta," Merkel said. "I’m proud to have worked with a very proactive city council, exceptional city staff, and most importantly, our residents during these past four years. It is essential we continue to move Alpharetta forward in a way our citizens can be proud of."

One of Merkel’s main focuses on moving Alpharetta forward is expediting over $80 million in infrastructure funding.

“With recently passed ballot measures, such as the 2016 transportation bond and TSPLOST, funding is finally in place to move forward on critical infrastructure projects throughout our city limits," he said. "If I have the privilege of being re-elected this fall, I intend to carry out these projects with a sense of urgency.”

Merkel said his main reasoning in wanting to speed up the process of moving forward with the transportation projects was due to the influx of new developments in the early part of the decade.

“Prior to serving my first term, the city went through a period of new development as we moved out of the recession," he said. "Getting these road projects up and running so our infrastructure can keep pace is essential for the city’s future.”

Future development is also an issue which Merkel said he intends to lead on if reelected.

“Our citizens expect a balance when it comes to new development," Merkel said. "Specifically, limits on high-density mixed-use projects.”

Merkel points to his record on development while on council by primarily voting in favor of single-family developments over high-density multi-family units.

“Our residents have told us their vision for Alpharetta’s future and it’s essential we carry it out." Merkel said. "If reelected, I intend to follow through on what our residents expect by upholding our city’s land use plan. We have a lot to be grateful for. Our city is moving forward on all fronts. Our public safety department continues to be ranked top in the nation, new parks space is in the works, and we’re giving residents the opportunity to raise their homestead exemptions this year. With your support, we can continue to make Alpharetta one of the best communities in Georgia.”

Merkel has been an Alpharetta resident for 25 years. He and his wife, Colleen, live in the Hampton Hall community where they raised their two daughters, Hannah and Maddie. In addition to his service on council, Merkel formerly served as chairman for the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation and Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce. He also is active in the Alpharetta Rotary Club and served as president from 2013-14. Merkel also served in leadership roles with the Ed Isakson YMCA board and the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

His announcement follows Alpharetta councilman John Hipes announced he was also running for reelection, Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin has announced that he is going to seek reelection for his role in November, and Alpharetta councilman Jason Binder said he was also running for reelection.