Dunwoody Crier — October 22, 2020

Page 1

Battling storm, Girl Scouts meet rising tide ► PAGE 3

O c t o b e r 2 2 , 2 0 2 0 | T h e C r i e r. n e t | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6

Council gives first nod to trimmed-down 2021 budget By CATHY COBBS newsroom@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council gave early approval Oct. 12 to a proposed 2021 budget that calls for keeping the property tax rate steady, but draws deeply into reserves to maintain services. The $24 million budget reflects a 4.2 percent reduction to various department spending. Even with those reductions, the reserve fund city keeps on hand is projected to shrink from funding almost eight months of operation to four months.by the end of 2021. The draw-down in reserves is being attributed to anticipated drops in sales tax and hotel/motel tax collections, fewer fees from licenses and permits and fines and forfeitures.

in reserve in 2020 to a projected four month’s reserve by the end of 2021. The reductions in income can be attributed to the economic devastation caused by COVID-19, which has reduced several funding sources, including taxes, licenses and permits and fines and forfeitures. “We will have no millage rate increase, but we hope that the economy turns around real soon,” said Dunwoody Finance Director Linda Nabers. Mayor Lynn Deutsch said she was upset that several projects had to be put on hold in order to hold the millage rate steady, but expressed hope that the economy would improve enough in 2021 to make mid-year adjustments. “This is not a budget with much fat, and I am hoping that the economy comes back soon,” she said. The budget calls for spending cuts

of 12 percent in the Parks Department, 15 percent in Community Development, almost 9 percent from the Police Department, and 30 percent reduced from the Communications Department. The entire panel complimented the city’s finance department for its work in presenting a comprehensive budget explanation, and particularly lauded the budget committee, which included Pam Tallmadge, Tom Lambert and Jim Riticher. There will be one more public hearing at the council’s next meeting, scheduled for Oct. 26, after which the council will consider the budget for first reading. The council also held a public hearing on a controversial proposal to take three properties located on Roberts Road and rezone them from R-100 to R-50 to allow for the construction of a 15-home

“farmhouse-themed” community. Ty White, founder and CEO of Peachland Homes, presented the vision for the new homes, calling them ideal for “empty nesters.” The community, called “The Cottages,” would feature 1.5-story homes with most of the living space, including the master bedrooms, on the main floor. White said plans include saving the Swancy Farmhouse, a historic property located on the proposed site. The architecture of the proposed homes would mirror the “farmhouse theme” of the Swancy Farmhouse. However, several property owners from the Dunwoody Knoll subdivision, which abuts the proposed subdivision, said they have concerns about the pro-

See COUNCIL, Page 2

Local artist finds his wings at Spruill Center for the Arts 6 66

@

66

@

@ @

@ @ @ @

@

6

@

66

By CATHY COBBS newsroom@appenmediagroup.com

6

@

@ AM Page11 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 13/4/19 3/4/1911:16 11:16 AM Your Page @ 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout Christopher Michaels stands before1 his “Find Wings,” prior to its 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 mural, 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 @ unveiling Oct. 10. The piece won the first annual Amplify Outdoor Art Award. @

@

SPECIAL

the side of the smokehouse building facing Ashford Dunwoody Road, is called “Find Your Wings” and is an homage to his wife, Amanda, who has been recovDUNWOODY, Ga. — Spruill Center for the Arts has helped Chistopher Miering from a pedestrian accident that occurred after the 2018 Lemonade Days chaels, and his wife, Amanda, find their celebration. wings. Amanda, an avid runner, suffered Michaels, a Dunwoody artist, was the serious injuries after being struck in a winner in early July of the first annual> > crosswalk by a distracted driver while award given by Spruill Center>as part > > of > she its Amplify Outdoor Art installation. He > > was leaving the festival. Doctors be>> > lieved she would never walk unassisted, dodged raindrops >during>> the five-day > >just > > in time painting project, finishing > >   >but she took her first steps six months > > for the Oct. 10 unveiling. > > >  > >   > See MURAL, Page 9 The art piece, which> is displayed on > >

> > > > > > >> Hours:Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-5:30, 10-5:30, Fri 10-5 Fri 10-5 Mon-Thurs Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-5:30, Fri 10-5 Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-5:30, Fri 10-5 Follow us online!

The SMART Way SMART Way The SMART Way TheThe SMART Way to Buy Diamonds to Buy Diamonds toWeBuy Buy Diamonds to Diamonds Diamonds and Buy Diamonds and Gold WeBuy BuyWe Diamonds andGold Gold We Buy Diamonds and Gold

ususonline! online! FollowFollow usFollow online!

www.hajewelry.com www.hajewelry.com www.hajewelry.com www.hajewelry.com

1820-C Independence Square, Square, 1820-C Independence 1820-C Independence Square, Dunwoody, GA 1820-C Independence Dunwoody, GA Square, Dunwoody, GA GA 770-396-3456 770-396-3456 Dunwoody, 770-396-3456 Haim Haviv, owner Haim Haviv, owner 770-396-3456 Haim Haviv, owner

Haim Haviv, owner


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.