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Roswell officials pass $173 million budget for fiscal year 2023 By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com
Marking history
JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA
Rebekah Jackson showcases Vigor & Gems’ handcrafted jewelry at Alpharetta’s inaugural Juneteenth community celebration at Brooke Street Park June 19. Meanwhile, Roswell held its own celebration with performances, food and other activities to mark the holiday. Read stories, Pages 14-15. GUEST COLUMN
Area cities plan Fourth celebrations
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Alpharetta to be site for bar, dog park
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Tax assessments are on the way
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ROSWELL, Ga. — In a rare move on June 14, Roswell residents applauded the City Council for passing the fiscal year 2023 budget, which includes a pay increase for police officers and funding for a full-time fire department. The $170.6 million budget is an increase of 13.7 percent from the current year. The general fund – the part of the budget that pays for dayto-day operations, including salaries – is set at $94.6 million. That’s up by more than $12 million from last year, or about 15 percent. Roswell’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30, 2023. Later in the meeting, the City Council also approved an increase in occupation tax, stormwater fees, solid waste fees, water fees and merchant fees. The FY 2023 budget includes $31.2 million for the Roswell Police Department and $13.6 million for the fire department. Within that total, $1.9 million is set aside for the “Best in Class” Police Pay Plan that
See BUDGET, Page 4