Community
Millage remains the same Continued from page 1
ed by multiplying a property’s taxable value by the millage. Councilman Denny Shortal said the city should use the additional revenue “to pave a couple more roads.” But the city’s digest has been declining over the past several years, so tax revenues remain below the amount city officials thought the city would collect when it was created nearly five years ago. “We’ve had to live on less dollars since we incorporated,” Councilman Terry Nall said. “We’ve had to run the city on less dollars than we use to pay DeKalb County. I think we need this extra money to put into capital projects.” Before the vote to set the rate at
2.74 mills, the council split 3-3 on a proposal to lower the tax rate to 2.68 mills. The motion failed because of the tie vote. Councilman Doug Thompson proposed the reduction, saying levying 2.68 mills would produce about $100,000 less in revenue than the current rate. He said he proposed a rate slightly below the break-even point because “I want a tax decrease.” Council members Adrian Bonser and Lynn Deutsch joined Thompson in voting for the decrease. Shortal, Nall and Mayor Mike Davis voted against it. Councilman John Heneghan was absent. City officials have said they expect the 2.74-mill levy to produce about $5.9 million in revenue.
Council dismisses complaint By Joe Earle
joeearle@reporternewspapers.net
Members of Dunwoody City Council voted unanimously June 25 to dismiss an ethics complaint against Councilwoman Adrian Bonser. The city’s Board of Ethics on June 12 found Bonser violated the city’s ethics code by sending a “discourteous” message during an email exchange with a constituent. The board voted to recommend that the council consider publicly reprimanding Bonser. Councilwoman Lynn Deutsch recommended the city again review its ethics code in light of the finding against Bonser. “I’d like us to take a look at the ethics code so that we’re careful as to what we call an ethics violation,” she said.
Bonser left the council bench and sat among the audience as her fellow council members deliberated about what to do with her case. Several council members said they thought Bonser’s actions did not constitute a breach of the city ethics code. “In my view, there is a difference between unethical conduct and unprofessional or inappropriate conduct,” Councilman Terry Nall said when moving to dismiss the complaint. “I believe the email exchange ... was unprofessional and inappropriate.” Earlier in the meeting, Bonser said she was dropping an ethics complaint she had announced against Lenny Felgin, one of the city’s attorneys.
SATURDAY JULY 6 FIREWORKS IN SANDY SPRINGS Fireworks will illuminate the skies above the King and Queen buildings in Sandy Springs as the community comes together in celebration of our nation’s independence. Residents are encouraged to pack a snack, bring a blanket and enjoy an evening under the stars. Water stations will be located throughout the Concourse lawn. Pets, tents, outdoor cooking and personal-use sparklers will not be permitted.
Music 7:30 p.m. - Fireworks 9:45 p.m. Viewing Area at the Concourse Corporate Center Lawn
SANDYSPRINGSGA.GOV/FIREWORKS
DUN
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