Dunwoody Crier - June 26, 2025 by Appen Media Group

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Ross, Deutsch pen notes on city property taxes

► PAGE 3

City Council members announce campaigns for reelection

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody City Council members Catherine Lautenbacher and Tom Lambert announced their reelection campaigns after regular business at the June 16 City Council meeting.

Dunwoody officials sign contract to revitalize Veterans Memorial

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council approved a roughly $490,000 contract June 16 with Headley Construction to revitalize the damaged Brook Run Park Veterans Memorial.

DeKalb County dedicated the memorial in 2004, four years before Dunwoody was incorporated. Because anticipated refurbishing costs exceeded the 2022 estimate, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the veterans community to develop a new design last fall.

Parks and Recreation

Director Rachel Waldron

shared June 16 a presentation about the memorial project’s history and asked council members for their thoughts on three potential funding sources.

“We weren’t able to open the memorial this past May for the ceremony because now there is a small leak in the roof, so it’s taking on water,” Waldron said. “Very important project, it will connect to the existing Vietnam Memorial. Our vision is to really set the tone in Brook Run because that’s our Memorial Plaza.”

Plans call for two additional features popular among veterans, the Battlefield Cross and an eternal flame.

Dunwoody elections are staggered on a four-year cycle, with half the City Council seats coming up for a vote this year. The three seats up for reelection Nov. 4 are for posts 1-3, which are voted upon by residents of the district the candidate will be representing.

Lautenbacher, first elected in November 2021, holds the Post 1 seat on

the City Council, which is the local seat for District 1.

Born in Italy to U.S. Navy parents, Lautenbacher served four years in active service for the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer for a C-130 unit in North Carolina.

INCUMBENTS, Page 12

This rendering shows plans for the revitalization of the Brook Run Park

The Dunwoody City Council approved a $490,000 contract June 16 to enhance the area, creating a Memorial Plaza connecting to the Vietnam War Memorial.

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED

Veterans Memorial.

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POLICE BLOTTER

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Best Buy employee reports theft of iPad

DUNWOODY, Ga. —Police responded to the Best Buy at Ashford Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive June 10 after a 19-year-old employee reported the theft of his personal iPad.

The victim, a Sandy Springs teenager, said a man dressed in all black took his device while he was busy helping a customer. The employee told a public safety ambassador that he tracked his iPad to the Dunwoody MARTA station.

The ambassador said several officers checked the station but did not locate a suspect matching the employee’s description. The ambassador also said MARTA Police were notified about the incident.

According to the report, the iPad was last tracked to Peachtree Street in Atlanta near the Buckhead MARTA station.

The ambassador said Best Buy employees gave him a flash drive with security footage of the theft. The victim said he would provide his device’s serial number later.

While the ambassador’s narrative only provides a description of the thief, the report lists a 40-year-old Sandy Springs man as a suspect.

— Hayden Sumlin

New employee victimized by email swindle scam

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police met with a 59-year-old woman living at the Dunwoody Trails townhomes off Pernoshal Court June 12 regarding a swindle via workplace e-mail.

The woman told officers that she started a job in April and received a text message in mid-May from someone she

thought was her boss.

She said the text message asked her if she could do her boss a favor and purchase two gift cards, each $500.

After becoming suspicious about the request, the woman said she tried to call her boss, but it was immediately declined because she was in a meeting.

The new employee said she then drove to a nearby Kroger grocery store, purchased the gift cards for $1,000 and sent the card information to the “unknown” phone number, assuming it was her boss.

When perpetrators engage in “gift card phishing scams,” they trick individuals into buying prepaid debits and sharing the card details, allowing them to steal the funds.

In the department’s report, no suspect was identified. Also, the suspect’s phone number was not recorded.

The victim told officers that she wanted to file an official report to provide to her bank.

— Hayden Sumlin

Police find Roswell man asleep in driver’s seat

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police arrested a 30-year-old Roswell man June 11 after reports that he was asleep at the wheel at Hammond Drive and Ashford Dunwoody Road around 10:20 p.m.

The man was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of oxycodone, Xanax, paraphernalia and a knife (during the commission of a felony) along with driving while under the influence.

Dunwoody Police did not return all supplemental reports associated with the arrest as requested by Appen Media, but one officer’s narrative was provided.

The officer said other personnel located the vehicle at the stoplight with a male driver slumped over holding a glass pipe.

After arresting the driver, the officer said they found that his license was suspended for a previous DUI. During a search of the driver, the officer said he found Xanax in his pocket.

The officer said the driver showed signs of drug impairment with slurred speech, the inability to stand without assistance

and the inability to remain awake during questioning.

A search of the vehicle yielded two and a-half pills of oxycodone, two Xanax pills, nine individually wrapped rocks of crack cocaine, a glass pipe and a 4.75-inch knife.

The officer said the man was unable to consent to a blood test and was initially denied at DeKalb County Jail because of his condition.

After getting him medically cleared at Northside Hospital, the man was transferred to DeKalb County Jail. As of June 22, he remains in jail.

— Hayden Sumlin

Jewelry store owners report fraud attempt

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a case of financial identity fraud after the owners of a jewelry store off East Crossville Road reported attempted bank transactions June 11.

An officer said he spoke with one of the owners, a 49-year-old man, about the incident a day after it occurred.

The victim said he received a call from a Wells Fargo branch manager in Las Vegas who was trying to confirm his identity. According to the victim, the branch manager said someone came in and attempted to initiate two wire transfers and a withdrawal using an ID with his exact information.

The store owner said the Wells Fargo branch denied both wire transfers, one for $49,500 and the other for $47,640, as well as a $9,700 withdrawal.

The officer said the man and his mother are co-owners of the Wells Fargo business account.

As a result, the 49-year-old man’s credit has been frozen, and his name has been withdrawn from the account.

He told officers that he wishes to press charges and file an official report, so that Wells Fargo could give information about the fraudulent transaction to law enforcement.

The case remains active.

— Hayden Sumlin

ASK APPEN

Yes, Dunwoody is raising taxes, and here’s the proof

Let’s not dance around the truth:

The City of Dunwoody is raising taxes — and they’ve admitted it in the fine print, even if city leadership refuses to say it out loud.

At the bottom of the Dunwoody Crier sits a legally mandated notice — bold, unambiguous, and required under Georgia law — entitled: “Notice of Property Tax Increase.” It appears because the city is planning to collect more money from taxpayers than it did last year. It’s that simple.

So how can the mayor claim taxes aren’t increasing?

The answer lies in a technical sleight of hand. While the millage rate is staying flat at 3.040 mills, the city has chosen not to adopt the rollback rate— the rate that would keep revenues level after accounting for higher property values.

Because of a 3.61% increase in the city’s overall tax digest (largely from reassessments), the city will collect 3.61% more in tax revenue. That increase triggers the legal notice of a tax hike.

The mayor’s argument hinges on one narrow fact: homesteaded residential

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properties are exempt from this increase thanks to a 1-mill exemption and an assessed-value freeze. That’s good policy. But it only tells half the story — and ignores the disproportionate burden now being placed on commercial property owners and non-homesteaded residences, such as rental properties.

And that burden could not come at a worse time.

The Central Perimeter commercial district, the economic engine that allowed Dunwoody to become a city, is under tremendous strain. Office vacancies now exceed 30%, the highest rate in the metro Atlanta region. Compare that to the national average of 19%, and the picture becomes clearer: We are taxing into weakness. What’s worse, much of the commercial space still on the books is already leased but not occupied. When those leases expire, expect another wave of vacancies. Higher taxes —disguised as steady rates on inflated valuations — will make it even harder to attract or retain businesses in a region already struggling to remain competitive.

For those of us who helped establish Dunwoody as a city, this moment is

Facts matter: More about Dunwoody’s millage rate

By MAYOR LYNN DEUTSCH City of Dunwoody

It has never been easier to stay informed about your city. You can attend in person or watch City Council meetings live or at your leisure. Eric Linton, our city manager, provides monthly city manager reports at council meetings, on the city’s website and via email. Quarterly department reports, weekly e-newsletters and daily social media posts will keep you in the know.

City plans, project updates, monthly financial statements and daily crime reports are available with the click of a button. We encourage robust public comments and engagement. Plus, I’m accessible and present at community events. City Council members are, too.

In City Council meetings, retreats and community meetings, we’ve spoken openly about our financial picture and discussed options for

Talk Back to the Crier

The Crier is committed to its role as Dunwoody’s community thread. As readers have reminded the paper, part of that role means budgeting premium space for letters from residents. Talk Back to the Crier by Sunday night and your note will be on page 3 that week. Email letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com. The Crier won’t publish it without explicitly getting your approval.

potential challenges ahead. These discussions have been well covered in this very publication. And, we are committed to a robust public process should changes be necessary in our revenue process.

See FACTS, Page 4

troubling. We promised transparency, fiscal discipline and a government accountable to the people. If the city genuinely needs more revenue — to fund police, fix roads, or improve services — then make the case to the voters. Lay out the rationale. Provide data. Ask for input. That’s what public leadership requires.

But don’t tell us taxes aren’t going up when the state says they are. Don’t tell us the commercial sector isn’t being squeezed when vacancy data shows otherwise. And don’t forget that trust, once lost, is hard to regain.

This isn’t about opposing public safety. It’s about honest governance.

Tax increases, especially when hidden behind jargon or assessment games, undermine the very transparency that led us to form our own city in the first place. If more revenue is needed, the people of Dunwoody deserve the respect of a straightforward, ethical conversation.

We wrote our city’s ethics code to prevent this kind of end-run around the voters. Let’s not forget why.

And now we have hard numbers to back it up.

In the very same edition of the Dunwoody Crier, a chart titled “Current 2025 Property Tax Digest and Five-Year History of Levy” tells the real story.

According to this official city document, the total tax levy for 2025 will increase by $1,073,835 over the previous year — a 9.06% jump in tax revenue.

That’s not spin. That’s not an estimate. That’s a number printed in black and white by the City of Dunwoody itself.

So let’s be precise:

• The mayor says taxes aren’t increasing.

• The state requires a notice that says they are.

• And the city’s own numbers prove a million-dollar-plus increase in total tax collections.

This is not just about reassessments. It’s about real money — coming from real property owners, many of whom are already under financial strain.

DANNY ROSS Founding member, Dunwoody City Council

In setting the millage rate this year, we’re following the same process we’ve utilized from the founding of our city. Nothing has changed. In fact, it’s a process that’s prescribed by state law. We are hiding nothing — the process is transparent.

What does that mean for Dunwoody? It means we are keeping our millage rate the same as last year at 3.040. It means no city tax increase for 85 percent of homeowners with a property assessment freeze. Keep in mind, the city does not assess property values. DeKalb County has a chief property appraiser and Board of Tax Assessors, which act independently of county and city staff to regularly assess

the value of property in the county.

While the millage rate is unchanged, total property tax revenue is projected to grow by about 3.6% from rising assessments on commercial properties and on homes not covered by the assessment freeze. This modest growth will likely shrink as assessed value appeals are filed and decided in favor of large commercial property owners.

Our city governance is strong and steady. We do more with less, and we do it well. Incorporation has saved most Dunwoody taxpayers nearly $1,000 a year. The $350 that a typical homeowner pays annually in Dunwoody would be more than $1,300 in unincorporated DeKalb. Since incorporation, Dunwoody’s commercial property owners have saved exponentially more.

I’m incredibly proud of the City of Dunwoody, and I’m grateful to the founders for setting us on a strong

course for the future. When they started the city, they envisioned that our property values would appreciate at the same rate that expenses would, and the two would keep pace with each other. However, soon after founding, they supported a full freeze on assessed values, and any significant growth in revenue from residential properties came to a halt.

We have managed well, but even without adding additional services, it is difficult for revenue to keep pace with inflationary growth and other pressures. The expectations of our residents and our businesses have grown through the years, and we work hard to meet and exceed expectations. At some point, it may become necessary to consider changing our revenue structure. Should a change become necessary, we will hold public meetings, provide clear data, and seek input from across our

community to ensure any decision reflects our shared vision for Dunwoody. In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns: Mayor@DunwoodyGA.gov or Council. Members@DunwoodyGA.gov.

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Dunwoody Country Club began as Ansley Golf and Country Club

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

Ansley Golf Club was established in 1912 as the Ansley Park Golf Club, located between Monroe Drive and Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta. It is named after Edwin P. Ansley, business owner, real estate developer and founder of the club. (“Ansley Golf Club, One Hell of a Good Club,” by David Swann)

The club wanted to expand and add members in 1939, but the ninehole golf course limited the number of golfers who could play each weekend. They decided to add a few “restricted” members, who were only allowed to play at times other than the popular choices of Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

By 1965, Ansley Golf Club had 990 members but still wanted to increase membership. They put up twin flags on each hole to turn the nine-hole course into an eighteen-hole course. “The idea of owning an 18-hole golf course had been firmly rooted, and the Club began putting money aside specifically for that purpose.”

golf course was completed in the fall of 1966, and the course opened for limited play.

A small white painted building was constructed to house the pro shop, dining area and lockers. The building became known as The White House. Other amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming pool and tennis courts, would be built later.

The expense of owning two separate properties began to take its toll in 1966. Ansley’s estimate of 350 to 400 new members did not materialize. Lots surrounding the club were not selling at the rate Ansley had hoped. Developers of some adjacent subdivisions included membership fees into the sales price of their homes but did not sell fast enough.

Some Ansley members never made the drive to play the Dunwoody course, 17 miles to the north.

Tom Bailey, the primary seller of land for Ansley Golf and Country Club, filed a lawsuit claiming water and silt from the new golf course caused damage to his property.

They found 250 acres of land in North Fulton County, between Old Lawrenceville Road, Jett Ferry Road, Spalding Drive and Ball Mill Road where an eighteen-hole golf course could be built. The land was described as “…lush, rolling, yet gentle terrain, generously wooded.” It had three spring-fed ponds and was near the Chattahoochee River. A spring on the property “… produces more than fifty gallons a minute,” according to an Ansley Club newsletter.

The Board hired Willard C. Byrd and Associates, a golf course architectural firm. Dalon Contracting Company managed construction of the course.

Of the 250 acres of land, 200 acres were purchased from Tom Bailey for $2,500 per acre. Bailey was an Atlanta business owner who built a summer home along Spalding Drive in the 1930s. He later made that home his permanent residence. Today, Bailey’s home has an Old Cobblestone Drive, Sandy Springs address.

In all, 550,000 cubic yards of earth and shale rock were graded to build the 7,000-yard course, which became known as Ansley Golf and Country Club. Construction of the

After these setbacks and more, Ansley’s membership voted to sell the country club in 1969. Ninetytwo charter members of Ansley paid $800 each to fund a new corporation, purchase the club and property, and form the Dunwoody Country Club. The mortgage, held by Citizens and Southern Bank, was transferred from Ansley Golf Club to Dunwoody Country Club.

During the early years of the Ansley Country Club golf course and later, Dunwoody Country Club, members helped improve the fairways and greens by gathering on the golf course for rock pickup and weed pulling. During this time, the club had a limited budget and a small number of grounds crew personnel. (Dunwoody Country Club archives) The road which had been known as Old Lawrenceville Highway became Dunwoody Club Drive.

Thank you to Ralph Martin for sharing his memories of 1960s Dunwoody, his knowledge of the early days of Dunwoody Country Club, and his copy of “Ansley Golf Club: One Hell of a Good Club.”

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

Puzzles

for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

FISH FOR DINNER

1. Paradise lost. Shrimp kin. Moxie.

2. Lean flesh of any of several flatfish. Get away. Tree growth.

3. Golf course hazard. Shipshape. Bears’ favorite fish.

4. Brandy flavor. Bony food fish. Cousin of a zither.

5. Hospital area. Sandwich fish. Hate.

6. Yellowstone creature. Low water mark. Shellfish.

7. The King. Edible ocean menace, thresher __. Fuzzy brown eggshaped fruit.

1 Paradise lost. Shrimp kin. Moxie.

2. Lean flesh of any of several flatfish. Get away. Tree growth.

How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

3. Golf course hazard. Shipshape. Bears’ favorite fish

4. Brandy flavor. Bony food fish. Cousin of a zither.

5. Hospital area. Sandwich fish. Hate

6. Yellowstone creature. Low water mark. Shellfish

7. The King. Edible ocean menace, thresher ___. Fuzzy brown egg-shaped fruit.

Importance of skin checks for mature skin

Kehinde

As skin matures, it undergoes various changes that necessitate regular skin checks to ensure overall skin health. Differentiating between age spots, healthy moles and potential skin cancers is crucial. Age spots, often appearing as flat, brown, or black spots on sun-exposed areas, are generally harmless but can be mistaken for more serious conditions. Early detection of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, routine skin examinations are essential for mature skin to maintain health and catch any issues early.

Addressing skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures

Dermatologists can assist with a

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In addition to treating conditions, dermatologists offer rejuvenating procedures to enhance the appearance and health of mature skin. Treatments such as chemical peels, laser rejuvenation and injectable treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and promote collagen production. These procedures not only rejuvenate the skin but also boost confidence and overall well-being. Establishing a relationship with a dermatologist ensures that your skin receives comprehensive care tailored to its evolving needs, promoting long-term skin health and vitality.

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ICE picks up Hispanic reporter arrested at DeKalb County protest

By CHAMIAN CRUZ WABE

ATLANTA — A Spanish-language journalist who livestreamed his own arrest at a weekend protest outside Atlanta was transferred from the DeKalb County Jail to Immigration and Customs Enforcement just before 3:30 a.m. June 18 and now faces possible deportation to El Salvador, according to his attorneys.

As previously reported by WABE, Mario Guevara was booked into the DeKalb County Jail on Saturday, June 14, after his attorneys say he was approached on the sidewalk by three police officers in riot gear while covering one of the many protests that day against President Donald Trump’s administration and its immigration policies.

Who is Mario Guevara?

Guevara, who fled El Salvador with his family two decades ago and built a following as an independent journalist covering immigration raids, was charged with obstructing police, unlawful assembly and improperly entering a roadway. A judge granted Guevara bond June 16, but he was kept in jail after ICE placed an extra 48-hour hold on him.

At a press conference after the arrest, Diaz said he expected the hold to expire the afternoon of June 18, and that DeKalb County would be required to release him. If not, a legal team would begin the process of filing a habeas corpus petition in federal court.

“His record is impeccable in this country, so this arrest is concerning,” Diaz said. “Although there’s been a surge since the Black Lives Matter movement with detaining journalists, it’s still a relatively rare occurrence here in the United States.”

According to Diaz, Guevara has an application pending for a green card and is the primary caretaker of his adult son, who is a U.S. citizen and recently underwent surgery for a brain tumor. It’s not clear to which ICE facility Guevara was transferred.

“He’s in ICE custody and we’re working on preparing his bond motion,” Diaz told WABE.

What’s next?

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office did not provide any more information about Guevara’s release from the county jail or how many other people were picked up by ICE overnight

DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA

An estimated 5,000 people rally against the policies of the Donald Trump administration during the “No Kings” protest in Tucker hosted by Pocketbook Brigade June 14.

when reached out for comment.

But during the June 17 press conference, Guevara’s attorneys said they were confident they could help get him released.

“Mario’s case is one that has a high probability of success,” Diaz said. “Unfortunately, under this administration, we’ve seen some very interesting tactics being implemented during litigation… but we’re still getting the bonds, we’re still getting these cases granted, and we feel confident that if Mario does end in the hands of immigration, that we’ll be successful.”

Diaz said that if Guevara was taken into ICE custody, he would likely spend some time at the agency’s downtown field office before being transferred to either the Stewart Detention Center or the Folkston ICE Processing Center, which he described as being “overwhelmed.”

“People are sleeping on the floor,” Diaz said. “Some detention centers don’t have enough food. … My job is to try to get people out of those hell holes. So, it’s not fun. If anybody I know can handle it and be in good spirits, it’s Mario … I think somebody like him, who’s faith-driven and mission-driven, is somebody who’s prepared to handle whatever those conditions may be.”

This story was provided by Appen Media partner WABE.

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The Schoenblum Family

Robert Scholz

Stephanie Schuette

Susan Searles

Tina Shelton

Lisa Shippel

Joanne Simmons

Tom Simon

Cindy Simpson

Robert Singleton

Faye Sklar

Judith Slaughter

Andy Smith

Gena Spears

Donald Spencer

Melissa Spencer

Gloria Stathos

Robert Stevens

Wesley Stewart

Cathryn Stovall

Celeste Strohl

Diana Sullivan

Andy Sumlin

Mike Tasos

Candice Teichert

The Small Business Advisor

William Tietjen

Lisa Tilt

Michael Townes

Trunnion LLC

Matthew Tyser

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

Jonathan Washburn

Michael Watson

Michael Weiss

Herbert Wells

Sally White

Thom White

Umpika White

Christine Williams

Jamie Wimberly

Jonathan Winkie

Nancy & Dave Wistrand

Theresa Woolridge

Carla York

Jonathan Young

Approval:

Continued from Page 1

Waldron said the project includes benches, recognitions of each service branch, lighting and landscaping, as well as a sidewalk connecting to the nearby Vietnam War Memorial.

“We’ve discussed revamping the brick program, hopefully we can amplify that as we get going,” she said. “There’s already been request for the adopt-a-bench program extending to that, people are very excited about leaving their mark on this Memorial Plaza.”

The funding options included drawing from unallocated money in the capital fund’s budget for general repairs and improvements, or tapping the city’s general fund reserves.

Dunwoody officials typically refer to the city’s reserves as “unassigned fund balance.”

The general fund pays for day-to-day operations and employee salaries, while the capital fund covers improvement projects around the city. The city has other funds, like the DeKalb County SPLOST, which are used for infrastructure projects.

Funding the veterans memorial

During a discussion about funding the project, City Councilwoman Catherine Lautenbacher and Mayor Lynn Deutsch advocated for recouping some of the costs through sponsorships by selling things like brick pavers and bench plaques.

The project is estimated to take around three months, and consultants said the city has time to complete it before Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

A representative from the city’s construction manager, Comprehensive Program Services, told officials that if they delayed for three months, the cost would increase.

City Manager Eric Linton recommended tapping the city’s reserves, which requires a budget amendment to move money from the general fund.

“I would recommend, if you want it open for Veterans Day, then I would go ahead and try … I mean it’s not an action item tonight, but have it on the next agenda,” Linton said.

While the agenda item was originally set for discussion, council members voted 4-3 to make the contract’s approval an action item, setting up a vote.

City Councilwoman Stacey Harris, who motioned to bring the contract to a vote, said she wants the Memorial Plaza ready for Veterans Day. Councilman Joe Seconder seconded the motion.

Deutsch and council members Rob Price and John Heneghan voted against the motion but later approved the construction contract after a funding discussion. Deutsch questioned whether the vote was allowed, and Price said it should be

Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch opens the June 16 City Council meeting, which included a debate among elected officials over project timing and funding. After a lengthy discussion about funding a revitalization of the memorial at Brook Run Park, elected officials approved a contract, slating it to be ready by Veterans Day Nov. 11.

done at the next meeting.

City Councilman Heneghan then asked Linton why he suggested to use the city’s reserves instead of its capital fund. Price also asked about the use of reserves.

“Looking at the three options, two of them are capital projects and one is the general fund,” Heneghan said. “Why would we be pulling from the general fund when the optics of this community is that we have funding issues? ... I think we have capital funds that are budgeted and allocated for projects just like this ... I don’t understand.”

Over the past 18 months, city officials wrestled with the looming deficit in the city’s operational budget, or general fund.

After Heneghan’s comments, Linton said the funding is up to the City Council.

Deutsch pushed to fund the project using unallocated dollars in the city’s capital fund and later reimburse itself with sponsorships.

“I just want to point out to the community that Sandy Springs raised $600,000, so much money,” Deutsch said, referencing sculptures at Veterans Park near City Springs. “[The city] built the park and the monument stuff was raised by donations, so I think we can figure out a way.”

The contract was approved unanimously.

Millage rate draws discussion

Two Dunwoody residents, more than 50 years apart in age, spoke during the second of three public hearings on the 2026 property tax levy, or millage rate.

The Georgia Department of Revenue requires the city to issue a notice of a tax increase this year because revenues are expected to rise, even though the millage rate will remain flat.

With overall higher values reflected in DeKalb County’s property reassessment, state law requires the city notify residents of a 3.61 percent increase in taxes.

Zach Humphries, a recent college graduate who grew up in the city, said he favors maintaining the millage rate to give the city the funding it needs to provide services to residents.

Humphries has said he wants the city

to collect more revenue and remove its millage rate cap.

Longtime Dunwoody homeowner Bob Hickey, who also spoke at the 8 a.m. public hearing, said he is opposed to the maintaining the millage rate.

“A very small amount of the increase in property taxes will directly affect homeowner citizens,” Hickey said, referencing the more than 85 percent of them that are homesteaded with an assessment freeze. “The increase directly impacts new homeowners, all renters and all businesses.”

Hickey and Humphries agree that commercial property owners will pass the tax increase onto renters, but their solu-

tions are vastly different.

Hickey said the city has a spending issue, not a lack of revenue, citing a 60 percent increase in the city’s overall budget, including all funds, since 2019. The budget has jumped from around $42 million to nearly $65 million during that time.

“About 13 percent of the [city’s] population are over 60 years old and mostly live on a fixed income. Another 25 percent live at or below poverty levels,” Hickey said. “Both of the groups will have a major struggle to pay for the day-to-day necessities after even this small increase.”

The general fund is a little over half of the total budget at around $37 million last year.

On the other hand, Humphries said Dunwoody homeowners need to pay more taxes to fund city services for all residents, including renters, visitors and youth. He criticized opponents of the 2023 parks and paths bond and called out senior homeowners by name, sharing some information about their property taxes.

Mayor Deutsch said Dunwoody has the lowest property taxes, for residential and commercial owners, among surrounding cities in Metro Atlanta.

“We’re the only city in Georgia that has both a freeze and a 1-mill exemption for homeowners,” Deutsch said. “We also have the lowest commercial millage rate [compared to Alpharetta, Atlanta, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs].”

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Incumbents:

Continued from Page 1

She moved to Dunwoody with her husband in 2000, serving as president of the Community Assistance Center,

Dunwoody Nature Center and Mill Glen Swim and Tennis Club.

Lautenbacher now works for Leadership Perimeter and serves as a board member of Discover Dunwoody, the city’s destination marketing organization.

“I am happy to announce I’m

In Memoriam

Mark Rabin, D.D.S.

February 8, 1943 – June 9, 2025

Mark passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on June 9, 2025, just four days after celebrating his 59th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife, Noreen. He was 82 years old.

Mark was born on February 8, 1943, to Helen Robowski and Joseph Rabin in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Miami, Florida. He graduated from Southwest Miami High School in 1960, attended the University of Miami for three years, and went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1967.

Following graduation, Mark proudly served as a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corps, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, before receiving an honorable discharge in August 1969. Shortly after, Mark and Noreen settled in Atlanta, where he built a dental practice and cared for the community with dedication for nearly 50 years. Mark was known as a gentle dentist whose warmth and kindness put people at ease. His playful reminders to floss never failed to make others smile.

Beyond his professional life, Mark was an engaged and generous member of his community. He was active in the Exchange Club of North DeKalb, the Rotary Clubs of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, the Sandy Springs chapter of the American Cancer Society, the High Museum of Art, and recently celebrated 50 years with the Hinman Dental Society.

Mark also had a lifelong love of sports and fitness. He could often be found on the tennis court, Rivermont golf course, ski slopes, at the gym, or walking through his

DEATH NOTICES

neighborhood. Music was another passion; he enjoyed playing the cornet along with his favorite recordings by Frank Sinatra, The Four Freshmen, and many other big band greats.

Mark was a devoted father to his daughter, Laura, and his son, Keith. He loved planning family vacations and sharing new experiences and destinations with his children.

In retirement, he and Noreen traveled extensively and spent treasured time with their five grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He never missed a birthday, performance, game, or graduation.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Leonard. He is survived by his wife, Noreen; his daughter, Laura Moss, and her husband, Jeff, of Dunwoody, Georgia; his son, Keith Rabin, and his wife, Allison, of Newport Beach, California; grandsons Matthew and Bradley Moss and Sawyer and Andrew Rabin; and granddaughter Kaitlyn Moss.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Rivermont Country Club, 3130 Rivermont Parkway, Johns Creek, Georgia.

Mark will be remembered for his kindness, humor, boundless energy, and deep love for family and friends. He will be greatly missed by everyone in his life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation online to the Center for Movement Challenges at www. centerformovementchallenges.org This is a wonderful facility for people with parkinsonism and movement challenges, and Mark always enjoyed the activities and games that kept him moving.

running for reelection for a second and final term on this City Council,” Lautenbacher said. “I’m proud to serve the City of Dunwoody. I appreciate and support the direction of the city.”

To visit her campaign page, visit: https://cathoncouncil.us/.

Lambert, first elected in November 2017, holds the Post 3 seat on the City Council, which is the local seat for District 3. He first moved to Dunwoody in 1999, serving as chair of Kingsley Elementary School Charter Council, president of Kittredge Magnet School’s PTA and president of Kingsley Swim and Raquet Club, among numerous other volunteer roles in the community.

In 2024, council members unanimously selected Lambert as mayor pro tempore, and he was elected president of District Three East on the Georgia Municipal Association’s Board

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

of Directors.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve collectively achieved as your local government and the progress our city has made,” Lambert said. “I’m even more proud considering some of the challenges we’ve had to overcome to do that.”

To visit his campaign page, visit: tomfordunwoody.com/.

While no challengers to posts 1 and 3 have announced as of press time, the Post 2 race is between incumbent City Councilman Rob Price and District 2 resident David Ziskind.

“I announced on Friday that I was also running for reelection for hopefully a second term,” Price said. “I think that, as a council, we’ve accomplished a lot in the last four years, and I would love the opportunity to have another four years to see if we can accomplish a lot more for this community.”

The City of Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council of Chambers of Dunwoody City Hall, located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338, for the purpose of due process of the following:

ZBA 25-12, 2475 Brafferton Way, Dunwoody, GA, 30360: Variance from Sec. 27-58 to allow a home addition to encroach into the rear setback.

ZBA 25-13: 1416 Nerine Circle, Dunwoody, GA, 30338: Special exception from Sec. 27-147(3) to allow relief from contextual lot characteristic requirements, including lot area and width, for a two-lot subdivision.

Should you have any questions or comments, or would like to view the application and supporting materials, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development Department at 678-382-6800. Members of the public are encouraged to call or schedule a meeting with the staff in advance of the Public Hearing if they have questions or are unfamiliar with the process. The staff is available to answer questions, discuss the decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.

Ashley Durden, 39, of Milton, passed away on June 4, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Adam Reboul, 47, of Roswell, passed away on June 3, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Christopher Younge, 49, of Alpharetta, passed away on June 1, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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