Crier hosts tour stop in Dunwoody ► PAGE 8
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Councilman challenges shift in fund allocations Dunwoody High School hosts meeting By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
are so fortunate to live in the great community of Dunwoody.”
DUNWOODY, Ga. — More than 100 students, parents and community members attended the first City Council meeting held at Dunwoody High School Jan. 22 to see local government up close. What they got was a tutorial in tracking money and a lesson in the cost of maintaining a city. “This is a historic event, our first council meeting on the road,” Mayor L yn Deutsch said. Representatives of the Youth City Council involved in executing the event, spoke during public comment to open the meeting. Valentina Cloitre, Youth City Council co-president, thanked Michael Berry who teaches social studies at Dunwoody High School and sponsors the club. “Thank you, all students and councilmembers, for taking time out of your day to participate with us,” Cloitre said. Principal Tom Bass noted the historical precedent. “It is such an honor to have the first City Council meeting here,” Bass said. “Dunwoody High School is all about relationships…community, we
Tracking budget money Before the City Council voted to approve the consent agenda, Councilman John Heneghan motioned to remove an item concerning capital project closeouts and funding reallocation. Councilmembers Heneghan and Joe Seconder said they wanted clarification from Finance Director Richard Platto about where the money has been reallocated. “We’ve identified projects that have been completed… some had funds available, some overran the budget,” Platto said. “The net effect for all funds impacted by these projects is zero, so it’s all reallocating within each given fund.” Funds were reallocated from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act; Dunwoody’s hotel and motel tax; the DeKalb County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax; and capital improvement projects. Heneghan’s questions about funding spanned from road paving to radios for the Police Department. “We are moving almost $2 million
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HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Audience members follow proceedings at the Jan. 22 City Council meeting held for the first time at Dunwoody High School. The Youth City Council, several student organizations and DeKalb County Schools collaborated with staff to arrange the meeting in the high school auditorium.