Dunwoody Crier - October 24, 2024 by Appen Media Group

Dunwoody officials review 2025 budget with deficit looming

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody officials are facing a looming deficit as the cost to run the city outpaces revenues.

Amid rising operational costs, city leaders have drafted a 2025 budget that is set for adoption Oct. 28.

At the Oct. 15 City Council meeting, Dunwoody Finance Director Richard Platto reviewed the spending plan, stating that general fund spending — the part of the budget that pays for day-to-day operations, like salaries — will increase by 6.7 percent, while revenues are expected to increase by 2.4 percent.

Assumed cost escalation in the 2025 budget includes a 6.5 percent increase for health insurance, 12 percent increase for general liability insurance, and around $700,000 in pay raises.

The city is also paying for four sworn police officers and one civilian fleet manager with money from its American Rescue Plan Act fund. The four new Public Safety Ambassadors are funded with salary savings from unfilled positions in the Dunwoody Police Department.

Rounding out other operational expenses are around $1.25 million in debt payments on City Hall and Vermack Road, as well as integrating two other staff positions funded through ARPA.

The city’s proposed 2025 budget calls for transferring just over $2 million in ARPA funds to cover recurring expenses in 2025.

Platto said the city has budgeted tapping into reserves in each of the past three years but has not had to use them.

“We are closely monitoring 2024,” he said. “Currently,

See BUDGET, Page 6

Volunteers sought for Great Dunwoody Cleanup

DUNWOODY, Ga. —Volunteers are encouraged to clear debris from around local streams and public areas from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 2 during the Great Dunwoody Cleanup.

The community-wide day of service is designed to make it easy for individuals, families, neighbors, teams and schools to keep streams and storm drains clear of trash and debris.

Individual participants and groups are encouraged to choose a spot in the city to clean, fill out an online form to share plans with Dunwoody’s stormwater team and post photos Nov. 2 using the hashtag #GreatDunwoodyCleanup.

Stormwater Engineer Cody Dallas said his team is encouraged to see the event grow for its fourth

year.

“This volunteer event is accessible and flexible,” he said. “It allows everyone to do their part to keep trash and debris from polluting our waterways.”

The Dunwoody Nature Center is leading its own cleanup project, clearing trails, weeding and removing invasive plants and spreading mulch.

All Nature Center volunteers must sign a waiver before participating. Volunteers elsewhere during the Great Dunwoody Cleanup do not need to complete a liability waiver but cannot hold the city responsible for any injuries.

For more information about how to sign up, visit www.dunwoodyga.gov/community/ greatdunwoodycleanup.

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED

Local teenagers shovel mulch at the Nature Center off Roberts Drive during the 2023 Great Dunwoody Cleanup. This year’s fall cleanup is from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 2.

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Driver faces 8 felony counts in hurricane welfare check

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs Police arrested a 30-year-old Cumming man at the Hampton Inn off Hammond Drive Oct. 12 after finding large amounts of controlled substances in his vehicle.

An officer said he was conducting welfare checks on people sleeping in their vehicles in hotel parking lots along the Hammond Drive corridor during the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

The officer said he noticed a white Chevrolet Silverado parked and running at the Hampton Inn around 2:30 a.m.

When he drove closer the truck, the officer said the passenger peered out of the window with a shocked expression and mouthed the words, “oh no!”

The officer said the driver, the 30-year-old Cumming man, then exited the vehicle.

During his conversation with the driver, the officer said he smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

Officers said the driver told them that

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.

Stores coordinate capture of suspected shoplifters

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police arrested two Atlanta women, 21 and 27, after they allegedly shoplifted from T.J. Maxx off Perimeter Center West and Nordstrom Rack off Hammond Drive Oct. 7.

A loss prevention employee at Nordstrom Rack told officers that her colleagues at T.J. Maxx, about a mile north, called to warn her about two female shoplifters who may be headed to the store.

AAPPEN PRESSCLU

A T.J. Maxx employee said the two suspects entered the store, selected more than $1,800 in merchandise and exited without paying.

Officers said the employee showed them security footage of the incident.

T.J. Maxx employees called Nordstrom Rack, and an employee there provided security footage of the same two female suspects inside the store concealing merchandise.

Eventually, officers said another loss prevention employee from T.J. Maxx arrived at Nordstrom Rack, found the suspect’s Hyundai Venue and identified all of the stolen merchandise.

he had more than a little marijuana in the vehicle.

As one backup officer removed the passenger, a 33-year-old Norcross woman, another officer said the driver attempted to re-enter his truck but was ordered to stop.

After that, officers said they detained and searched the suspect, finding two knives in his front pocket and baggies of presumed cocaine.

Officers said the suspect admitted the substance was cocaine.

During a search of the vehicle, officers said they found a SIG Sauer P365 handgun with 9mm ammunition, 52 grams of cocaine, 58 grams of ketamine, 28 grams of ecstasy, 22 grams of methamphetamine, 9 grams of marijuana and 20 grams of miscellaneous narcotics.

Officers secured eight felony warrants for possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute and transported the suspect to Fulton County Jail.

The suspect remains in jail on Rice Street in Atlanta as of Oct. 14.

Dunwoody Police said T.J. Maxx recovered all stolen property.

Officers charged both suspects with felony shoplifting and possession of a tool during the commission of a crime and transported them to DeKalb County Jail.

Officers arrest suspect after burglary reports

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police arrested a 29-year-old Loganville man Oct. 7 at the Dunwoody Gables apartments after he allegedly tried to enter several residences and burglarized one.

Officers said dispatch sent them to 1329 Charleston Place at North Shallowford and Peachford roads around 9:15 p.m. after an anonymous caller reported a man checking windows with a flashlight. They said the suspect, wearing red pants and a black ski mask, was not found during a search of the area.

One officer said he determined which apartment the suspect tried to enter.

The apartment’s resident said the suspect did not enter her home, but there were new holes in her window screens.

Around 10 p.m., officers said a different caller reported a suspect attempting to break into another window near the complex’s parking garage.

The caller said the suspect told him he was, “on his phone,” and walked toward another apartment building after the exchange.

About 20 minutes later, a 34-year-old

Behind the story: In documents Sandy Springs gave to the public, the reporting officer used two sentences to describe this event. They wrote that on the day of the exchange, “I observed a suspicious vehicle at 769 Hammond Dr. The driver was subsequently arrested for multiple VGCSA charges and with a firearm.”

An initial police incident report, which state law makes available to the public, is a document used to record an officer’s observations and interactions during the call for service.

Sandy Springs differs from other law enforcement agencies Appen Media covers in that the city provides brief, skeleton reports, then placing a more substantive narrative in a separate document.

In a lawsuit now before the State Court of Appeals, Appen argues this practice violates the Georgia Open Records Act. The newspaper obtained most of the information for this report from a source with Fulton County Superior Court.

When applying for arrest warrants, Sandy Springs offered the judge a more detailed description of events.

Appen Media will continue to explore all routes of keeping residents informed about how safe — or unsafe — is the City of Sandy Springs.

woman and her 14-year-old daughter told officers that someone had just exited their apartment through a window.

Officers said they first cleared the apartment, then spoke with its residents.

The 14-year-old witness said when she turned on her bedroom light, she immediately noticed someone climbing out of her bedroom window.

Initially, the 34-year-old resident said nothing was taken.

As officers were speaking with the witnesses, their backup told them they found the suspect who was fleeing on foot.

An officer said he heard tasers being deployed, and the suspect, who matched witnesses’ descriptions, was detained.

Officers said they found a large flathead screwdriver, multiple water bottles, a gold iPhone, a cash saver binder, a yellow bag with Bahaman currency and a credit card in the suspect’s possession.

Later, officers said the 34-year-old resident reported her daughter’s missing iPhone and her husband’s missing credit card.

Officers said they returned the items to the burglary victims who said the other items did not belong to her family. They said no other victims were located.

Officers transported the suspect to DeKalb County Jail with warrants pending for first-degree burglary, loitering and prowling, obstruction and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Patrons at Puttshack Dunwoody watch a putt roll toward the cup on one of the venue’s four nine-hole mini golf courses. Puttshack’s newest Metro Atlanta venue opens Nov. 6 at 111 High Street, Suite 210.

Puttshack announces opening of new venue on High Street

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The increasingly popular tech-infused mini golf experience — Puttshack — is opening its second Metro Atlanta venue at High Street in Dunwoody Nov. 6.

The company says the 26,000-square-foot venue will feature four nine-hole mini golf courses with the company’s Trackaball technology that automatically keeps score and lets guests focus on the game.

Puttshack Dunwoody will be on the second floor of High Street, Suite 210, adjacent to the development’s central greenspace.

The venue includes direct course access from private event spaces and an outdoor terrace overlooking High Street, a multi-phased, mixed-use destination from GID at Perimeter Center Parkway and Hammond Drive.

Wendy Adam, senior vice president of commercial asset management for GID, said developers are committed to bringing experiential brands like Puttshack to the community as it transforms southwest Dunwoody’s High Street.

The new venue will feature two ADA-compliant courses and KultureCity certification, the company says.

Following the successful debut of its first location at The Interlock in West Midtown in 2021, CEO Logan Powell said the company is excited to expand its Metro Atlanta footprint into Dunwoody.

“Atlanta was home to our very first U.S. venue, and the local support has been incredible,” Powell said. “With our unique blend of high-tech mini golf, an upscale menu and vibrant atmosphere, Puttshack offers a one-of-a-kind experience that brings people together for unforgettable moments.”

Puttshack Dunwoody will offer a globally inspired menu featuring signature and seasonable shareable plates, flatbreads and salads. One local standout dish — the Georgia Tailpipes — features crispy spring rolls filled with house-smoked pulled chicken, baconcollard greens and pimento cheese, served with BBQ and peach dipping sauces. The company says $1 from each order goes toward the Giving Kitchen, an organization supporting food service workers.

The full-service bar will showcase a handpicked selection of craft cocktails along with zero-proof drinks, wine and local beers from Georgia breweries like SweetWater, Monday Night Brewing and Creature Comforts.

Puttshack’s business hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

Kids are welcome until 8 p.m. when the venue becomes 21 and older.

Guests can begin to book game and dining reservations starting Oct. 23 at www.puttshack.com/groups-andparties/dunwoody.

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Economist says Metro Atlanta remains poised for growth

Georgia earns marks for generating jobs

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The chief economist for the Metro Atlanta Chamber says indications point to a more stable economy, and Georgia is positioned to reap the benefits.

Speaking before a crowd of some 50 business leaders at Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber’s Oct. 15 Signature Luncheon, Jerry Parrish painted a cautiously optimistic picture for the metropolitan area and its surrounding counties.

Parrish, former chief economist and director of research at Florida State University’s Institute of Government and the Florida Chamber Foundation, joined the Metro Atlanta Chamber in August 2023.

He said one of the big projects at the chamber is matching demand from companies with talent in the workforce.

“That was one of the things that attracted me to the Metro Atlanta Chamber,” he said.

With several trade and technical schools, as well the University System of Georgia’s 26 public institutions, companies from around the world are considering a move to Metro Atlanta.

Parrish said the millionaires in Generation Z may be electricians and plumbers, instead of those with college degrees. He encourages high schoolers to learn business and a trade.

percent.

“That means Georgia has grown substantially more jobs than the average state out there,” Parrish said. “That probably won’t surprise you that this area is growing, [and] people still want to live here.”

Before jumping into interest rates, inflation and Federal Reserve policy, Parrish said that he and his colleagues have been wrong, and not just a little.

“If you’ll remember back to early 2023, about 85 percent of economists were forecasting a recession,” he said. “All the probabilities said we would be in a recession by the middle of 2023 … that kept getting postponed.”

Parrish said the historically reliable indicator for a looming recession is an inverted yield curve, a condition in which interest rates on long-term bonds are lower than short-term bonds.

“Private equity is going around and buying these companies up,” Parrish said. “The prices are not going to go down.”

Even with 63 Georgia counties, or 40 percent of the state, losing residents from 2010-23, the state’s overall population jumped 12.2 percent.

The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metropolitan statistical area, covering the 29-county region surrounding Atlanta, saw its population increase 19 percent over the same period.

Growing job numbers and increasing population in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 29-county metropolitan statistical area contrasts with more concerning trends in rural counties, which are losing young people

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 36-35-3(b)(1), notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia will consider amending the Charter of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia for the purpose of permitting members of the city council to be employed by other governmental entities except Dunwoody, Georgia or Dekalb County, Georgia within Article II, Section 2.13(e).

The proposed amendment will be considered at the City Council’s regular meetings on November 12, 2024 and November 25, 2024. Meetings of the Dunwoody City Council are held at 6:00 p.m. in Dunwoody Hall, Dunwoody City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338. A copy of the proposed amendment is on file in the office of the City Clerk and in the office of the Clerk of Superior Court of DeKalb County for the purpose of examination and inspection by the public.

to urban centers and their tax bases with it.

“One of the things you have to look at, as far as how attractive areas are, is how many people are moving there,” Parrish said. “When you add up Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties, that’s seen an increase of right at a half a million people just in that 13-year period.”

Since 2020, Metro Atlanta has seen a 7.2 percent job growth rate, which is more than the state average of 6.6 percent and national mean of 4.5

“That makes no sense … because if I’m going to loan you money, the longer the duration or period, the more risk you take,” he said. “Every time we’ve had a recession, we’ve had a yield curve inversion right before it.”

After the national economy avoided recession last year, Parrish said economists didn’t know what to think.

“We were all wrong and looked like idiots,” he said. “What happens is the yield curve should start low and go

See GROWTH, Page 6

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 36-35-3(b)(1), notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia will consider amending the Charter of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia for the purpose of permitting certain gifts or donations without limitations from individuals, charities, and benevolent or philanthropic organizations: (1) to provide aid and support of law enforcement; or (2) to provide aid and support of city personnel facing hardships due to a serious health condition of the employee (or immediate family member defined as spouse, child, or parent) within Article II, Section 2.13(a)(4).

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Jerry Parrish, chief economist of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, delivers remarks on his economic outlook for the local economy Oct. 15 in the Terrace Meeting Room at City Springs.

Budget:

Continued from Page 1

we have a small use of fund balance, around $700,000, largely dependent on how property tax revenue comes in.”

Platto said the city will know soon whether it will need to spend reserves on operations this fiscal year. In the proposed 2025 budget, use of reserves is anticipated to increase to just under $1.3 million.

Maintaining status quo

The budget process kicked of in early July with departments submitting their 2025 funding requests.

Most of the approved enhancement requests maintain city departments’ level of service.

Platto said the guiding parameters for the creation of the city’s budget are to minimize the use of reserves and maintain a more than six-month balance of reserves to run the city at year’s end.

In the proposed 2025 budget, the city is planning to use $1.26 million in reserves.

“Assuming this holds, we would be at a shade over eight months of unassigned fund balance (or reserves) at the end of 2025,” Platto said. “That equates to about $24.4 million … still very healthy and well above having six months of reserves.”

Dunwoody’s fiscal year budget runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

Platto separated general fund spending by department, showing that 40 percent of operational spending goes to the Police Department with an annual increase of $1.5 million, almost all of it for personnel.

By category, 50 percent of the general fund goes toward personnel costs.

Platto concluded his presentation with a slide showing $2.2 million in operational spending for police positions, ambulance services and other staff positions that will not be funded after

Growth:

Continued from Page 5

high … now the 10-year is higher than the 2-year [treasury yields].”

With the Federal Reserve announcing an interest-rate cut of 50 basis points Sept. 18, Parrish said he thinks the targeted “soft landing” is looking like more of a possibility.

The Fed is the central banking system in the United States. When Congress established it in 1913, the Fed was tasked with maximizing employment, stabilizing prices and moderating long-term interest rates.

A “soft landing” occurs when the Fed increases interest rates and

2025 when ARPA funds run out. The city’s ambulance subsidy to bring down response times, the Police Department’s fleet manager and construction of roadway safety projects are all up in the air after 2025.

“We don’t have additional funding sources beyond ARPA II in 2025 for those projects,” he said. “We will be looking for the general fund to absorb these costs as we think about that 2026 budget.”

No residents spoke on the proposed budget during time allotted for public comment.

Managing limited resources

City Councilman Tom Lambert said there is a lot of demand for services and not a lot of resources to match it.

“I continue to be a little frustrated about the public dialogue surrounding city finances,” he said. “I need the public to understand that [out-of-control spending] is not reality, and in fact from my perspective, I think the city has done a very good job of managing our limited resources with an increased demand in services from our residents.”

Lambert echoed Platto’s comments

manages to bring down inflation without causing unemployment to spike or national gross domestic product to drop.

Depending on an individual’s income level and wealth, economic headwinds appear different.

A normal yield curve is beneficial to banks and commercial developers, but what about people outside of those industries?

The job market is doing well, and the Fed doesn’t need to cut rates quickly because it has improved the chances of a soft landing, Parrish said.

Parrish is concerned about a few things in the national economy, like consumer confidence at its lowest level in three years and $34.8 trillion in federal debt.

advocating to end each fiscal year with a surplus and without spending reserves.

“The fiscally responsible thing to do, and probably the morally responsible thing for the public, is to put that money right back into the next year and spend it on services,” Lambert said.

City Councilman John Heneghan said he appreciates city staff for finding a way to fund everything this year.

“Unfortunately, 90 percent of your presentation was all about what’s going to happen in the future and the federal funds that we’re using to pay for those things,” he said. “I’m gravely concerned about what’s happening in the future … especially as we have contracts coming up for renewal.”

In an Oct. 11 blog post, Heneghan wrote about the final two discussion items presented during the Oct. 15 meeting. The two tweaks to the City Charter would allow public donations to organizations like the Dunwoody Police Foundation and permit elected officials to seek government employment outside of DeKalb County.

“On the surface, tweaking our City Charter on minor items does make

“Consumers have been through a couple years of inflation,” he said. “Everybody was running a little nervous there for a while, but what’s happening to consumer sentiment is a big deal.”

Confidence was high early in the COVID-19 pandemic before inflation hit consumers.

Even with interest rates coming down and inflation cooling off, most Americans are struggling to make ends meet, excluding most homeowners in North Fulton County.

Parrish cited a few statistics to back that up, like 18.1 percent of customers signing 84-month auto loans.

“There’s straining going on in the economy right now, we have to think about it,” he said. “Even the robots aren’t as busy as they used to be, so

sense to me, but it also sets a precedent for future changes that may not have been intended 15 years ago when the citizens voted to allow incorporation under a limited governmental authority,” Heneghan wrote. “State law clearly states that the city can change its charter and operating procedures … but [the law] also sets limitations and exclusions on doing so, one of [them] is based on taxes.”

Removing tax cap

The Georgia Municipal Association’s website says cities cannot enact charter amendments that “adopt a form of taxation beyond that authorized by the state constitution and laws.”

Heneghan said he feels compelled to lobby for a referendum on the changes as required by the City Charter.

When asked about Heneghan’s blog post, City Manager Eric Linton said his staff is looking at ways to raise the city’s property tax rate from its cap of 3.040 mills in the City Charter.

“City staff have been researching all the various means by which the millage rate may be adjusted including using the Georgia home rule method, in some cases in conjunction with special tax districts,” he said. “The discussion has come up at retreats and other public meetings.”

The Georgia Constitution allows for the General Assembly to grant “home rule,” or powers to local self-government, to cities and counties so they can pass laws themselves.

The idea is that Dunwoody may be able to amend its charter to remove its millage rate cap without sending the measure to the General Assembly and a citizen referendum.

Linton said staff are monitoring the city’s general fund finances and use of reserves.

“The 2025 budget was created as a barebones balanced budget with rainy day funds that may or may not have to be spent,” he said. “The City Council is working diligently to avoid decreasing any city services or dipping into savings.”

what does that tell you, probably things are slowing down.”

Parrish said he doesn’t want to alarm anyone because he thinks the state of Georgia is in a strong position.

“What’s literally happening is we basically have a bifurcated economy here, meaning split in two,” he said. “Take people below median income, they’ve spent all their stimulus money … inflation, food and rent have gone up substantially.”

Parrish said 50 percent of Americans believe the country is already in a recession.

“They’re struggling,” he said. “The last two and a half years, I’ve been forecasting that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer.”

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Dunwoody Finance Director Richard Platto discusses assumptions about operational spending and use of city reserves during the Oct. 15 City Council meeting.

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Northside Hospital Atlanta Auxiliary

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Publix Super Markets Charities

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Ballot referendum ties assessments to inflation rate

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — Voters will decide whether to enact a number of statewide ballot measures aimed at relieving sticker shock on property taxes.

One ballot question is a constitutional amendment for a statewide floating homestead exemption that would essentially cap property assessments at the inflation rate.

House Bill 581 creates the homestead exemption and a new local option sales tax. It will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, only if the referendum on House Resolution 1022, which is also known as Amendment 1, is approved by voters in November.

Election Day is Nov. 5.

The ballot question would give the Legislature the constitutional authority to offer this homestead exemption.

The question says:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a state-wide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures?”

A floating homestead exemption generally increases its value to offset inflation. For example, if a home has a taxable value of $100,000 and that increases the following year to $110,000, the exemption floats to be worth $10,000. So, according to a webinar presentation from the Georgia Municipal Association and the

Association County Commissioners of Georgia, the homeowner’s taxable value remains at $100,000.

But with HB 581, the taxable value, or the assessed value, could only increase by a rate of inflation set by the State Revenue Commissioner, which would likely be the consumer price index.

With the same example, if the assessed value is $100,000 and increases to $110,000 the following year, but inflation is 2% then the taxable value could only increase by 2%, up to $102,000. The exemption floats to be worth $8,000 of assessed value, so the homeowner would pay based on the $102,000.

“The main effect of the House Bill 581 exemption on your residential, homestead taxpayers is that the taxable value of their homes may only increase at the rate of inflation each year,” said Dante Handel, associate director of governmental affairs at Association County Commissioners

of Georgia (ACCG). “The intent is to protect those homeowners. It does slow the growth of the digest for your residential homestead properties.”

In this case, property assessments could not increase more than the inflation rate each year. The exemption would apply to cities, counties and school districts.

The bill allows cities, counties, and school districts to opt out of the floating homestead exemption. Each taxing entity will have until March 1

to file its exemption if the referendum passes, and the option expires after that.

Ryan Bowersox, assistant general counsel of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), said during the webinar that if a city or county already has a floating exemption, such as Fulton County’s 3% floating homestead exemption, then homeowners would receive whichever is more beneficial if the local government does not opt out.

If a city, county, or school district offers a flat-rate homestead exemption, this floating exemption would be added on top of that. In Decatur, a homeowner would still receive the $40,000 general exemption and the floating homestead exemption.

The statewide cap would apply to all millage levies except those dedicated to bond payments, so it would apply to a special service district as well if a city or county did not opt out, Handel said.

Latisha Gray, director of communications for GMA, said that if the referendum is approved and a local government does not opt out, the floating homestead exemption would provide some predictability regarding See BALLOT, Page 12

DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA

A vote sign on display ahead of an election.

TENSE

Pastoral Happy Hollow home has blurred history

There is an older home at 5326 Happy Hollow Road, on the left as you travel north toward Dunwoody Club Drive. It has always caught my eye because it is a lovely home with a well in the front yard. Another unique feature of the property is the Eastern red cedar tree near the well that amazingly survived the 1998 tornado.

Owner Kristen O’Brien and I have researched and asked a few people who have lived in the area a long time what they know about the home. O’Brien has lived there 22 years.

There are features in the home that indicate it is older than the 1955 date on DeKalb County property records. The home may have been built much earlier, but the property was recorded when renovations and additions were done in 1955.

Water was just arriving in areas outside of Atlanta that were considered rural in the 1950s, so having a well was not unusual. That included north DeKalb and north Fulton County. Water came to Sandy Springs around 1950.

Kristen O’Brien first moved to Dunwoody in 1978 and lived in Dunwoody Club Forest, then moved to Spalding Lakes. She recalls taking piano lessons from one of two women who lived in the Happy Hollow home in 1984.

According to local real estate agent Tom Florence, the home was purchased by Charles Dickerson in 1970, Peggy and Gene Kelly in 1986 and Kristen O’Brien in 2002. The O’Briens had their eye on the home in 1990s and were happy to purchase it in 2002.

The Happy Hollow home is close to the historic Cassidy Lamb House on West Fontainebleau Court, but I have found no direct connection between the homes. The Happy Hollow name may have begun with the Cassidy family or with a later owner. A 1945 map shows the name Happy Hollow.

In 1995, Jim Perkins wrote about Happy Hollow Road and James Robbs, who took care of the pool when the Cassidy Lamb House was owned by Atlanta banker Baxter Maddox. The pool was built into a nearby creek, common for summer houses at the time. Robbs is remembered by the Cassidy family as a tenant farmer who grew corn and cotton on the land while also looking after the summer home.

Not long after Kristen and her daughter Kyla moved into the home, James Robbs brought by a copy of the

5326 Happy Hollow Road likely dates further in history than property records indicate.

BRIAN WHITCOMB/PROVIDED

This view of 5326 Happy Hollow Road includes the well, the Eastern red cedar tree and the home behind the tree.

1995 Dunwoody Crier with Perkins’ article. He wrote a note on it saying, “I thought you folks might like to have this.”

This story is like a puzzle that is missing pieces. Perhaps James Robbs knew the connection between the Cassidy Lamb House and 5326 Happy Hollow, if there was one. If you have additional history or memories of this Happy Hollow home, please write to me at pasttensega@ gmail.com.

Thank you to Hannah Wildner for sharing her photos of the Eastern red cedar tree and connecting me with Kristen O’Brien.

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.

BRIAN WHITCOMB/PROVIDED

HANNAH WILDNER/PROVIDED

This view of the Eastern red cedar that survived the 1998 tornado was photographed as the sun rose.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

Appen Media Listening Tour gives public ear in newsroom

Press Club member drive ends Nov. 1

NORTH METRO

ATLANTA — This year, the Appen Media newsroom organized its firstever Listening Tour. You could say it was successful. Reporters sourced around a dozen stories that may have not been told otherwise, covering everything from new nonprofits to infrastructure and election issues.

The forum, taken to all seven of our coverage areas, provided the community a soundboard to field questions and air topics that deserved attention.

I spoke to many people, with differing backgrounds and interests. It led me to several more interviews, either in person or over the phone. More research. More finding out things I didn’t previously know, shared with readers.

I love my job because I do this all the time. I listen and respond, and sometimes that makes a real difference. That’s been the case countless times, and that cannot happen without the support of our Appen Press Club members.

The newsroom literally needs membership dues and donations to function, and hopefully, to grow.

The generosity funds our salaries, and everyone and their mother knows Metro Atlanta has an outrageous cost of living, which continues to increase.

It also funds our battle with the City of Sandy Springs over the disclosure of police incident reports, which we argue everyone has a right to have based on the Open Records Act. The lawsuit, still open, has sucked some $80,000 from the company.

Memberships also help fund regular

open records request fees — we submit a lot of requests. They also fund super important events like the Listening Tour, and we hope to do another soon.

The Appen Press Club was launched to support the work of our newsroom, which is vital to a prosperous and informed community. An ever-evolving media landscape and the monopolistic practices of tech giants means the support we receive from our advertising partners may no longer be enough to sustain the quality reporting our north Atlanta community has come to expect from us.

Times are tough in the newspaper industry. Ink doesn’t grow on trees.

Because we serve tens of thousands of residents in north Metro Atlanta every single week, our goal has been 200 members by Nov. 1. Since September, when this campaign began, fewer than 20 new members have joined.

We have a circulation of 105,000 newspapers, all at no cost to the reader — why? Because we believe news should be free. The community should have the right to know what’s going on to make informed decisions.

We attend hours-long city council meetings, so you don’t have to, and we dig and dig and dig because some things won’t ever come to light unless we do.

We also believe everyone should be able to come by a news clipping of their kid, just recognized as an Eagle Scout, for free, or of a nonprofit that gives back to the community in a major way, or of a small business that somehow still makes it in this economy year after year.

While the newspaper is free, direct support is still necessary. Please consider joining today at www. appenmedia.com/join to keep your local news source around.

Ballot:

Continued from Page 9

property taxes.

“As a homeowner stays in their home, over time, they can come to expect consistent change/increase in their home’s taxable value,” Gray said. “This helps avoid the possibility

of a rapid increase in a given year, which can possibly result in a greatly increased property tax bill compared to the previous year.”

If a city does not opt out, the exemption would augment the digest’s taxable value over time, artificially keeping home values lower for tax purposes.

“This exemption will impact cities differently depending on the mixture

In Memoriam

Charles LaVerne Greene

July 26, 1935 - August 31, 2024

We regret to announce the passing of Charles LaVerne Greene, age 89, who died on August 31, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia after complications from surgery.

Charles was born on July 26, 1935, in Farmville, North Carolina, and was raised by his grandparents, Algie Jackson and Mary Morris Greene. He graduated from Farmville Central High School and attended East Carolina University, where he graduated with a BA in Accounting in 1958. During college, he earned a Russian Language Certificate from Syracuse University and served in the United States Air Force, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1956.

He met and married his wife, Sybil Jane Ellis, in Greensboro, North Carolina and they resettled in Dunwoody in 1978.

Charles suffered the loss of his wife Sybil just two weeks earlier and was also predeceased by his sister Barbara Greene Philmon in 2014.

Charles had a rich and varied career in the business world, ably doing everything from being a partner in a CPA firm, A.M. Pullen & Company, to founding two companies, GWC Communications Company and Charles Greene Associates. Although retired, Charles continued to work full-time trading stocks until his recent hospitalization, a passion that kept his mind incredibly sharp.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Charles was a devoted family man who loved his wife, five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild above all else. His sense of humor, intellect, jovial spirit, and warmth made him a cherished and loyal friend to many, including his wonderful neighbors and the members of the Dunwoody Recipe Club.

In his free time, Charles was a passionate fisherman, political pundit, reader of historical literature, watcher of British television series, and caretaker of his feisty but adorable little troublemaker dog, Jack.

of their digest and the frequency of home sales,” Gray said. “If a city was required down the road to raise their millage rate to maintain the same level of revenue due to the exemption, the tax burden would shift more to the non-homesteaded portion of the digest.”

The ACCG’s Handel also said that the tax burden wouldn’t go away, but it would be shifted to other property owners. Non-homestead properties, such as commercial, industrial, agricultural and multifamily residential, would continue to be assessed at their fair market value.

“Renters will not see the benefit of the homestead exemption as these are treated like commercial properties, but potentially they could see the benefit of the [new local option sales tax] if the millage rate is reduced and the savings are passed along from the property owner to the renter,” Bowersox added.

exemption in HB 581. But the county and all cities within that county that levy property taxes would have to have a floating exemption in place to be eligible for the sales tax.

For example, DeKalb County and all its 13 cities would have to have a floating homestead exemption in place to levy the new local option sales tax. Implementing the FLOST would then be a separate local referendum. The FLOST could be levied in 0.05% increments up to 1%.

Cities, like Atlanta, that have a municipal option sales tax would not be eligible to levy a FLOST. School districts are not eligible to participate in FLOST.

HB 581 includes some procedural property tax changes as well. For more information or to watch GMA and ACCG’s webinar visit https:// www.accg.org/page.php?ID=2202. Tax court ballot question

He is survived by two children from a previous marriage, his daughter Linda Greene of Greeneville, Tennessee; and son Stephen Greene and his wife Awilda of Sebastian, Florida, and grandchildren Kelton and Landen and great-grandchild Krew. From his marriage to Sybil, he is survived by his daughter Susan Bortnick and her husband Brian of Atlanta, Georgia, and grandchildren Zander and Lexi; his son Alan Greene and his wife Deena of Atlanta, Georgia, and grandchildren Charlie and Janie; and his son Edward Greene and his wife Sue of Los Angeles, California, and grandchildren Yonna and Seyla.

He is also survived by his aunt Merle of Houston, Texas; his cousin Morris Greene of Houston, Texas; his cousin Judy Adams and her husband Bob and family of Houston, Texas; his cousin Martha Gray and her husband Stewart and family of Boone, North Carolina; his cousin Jimmy Yates Jr. and family of Raleigh, North Carolina; his brother-in-law Raven Ellis and his wife Gale of Eden, North Carolina, and their children Lesley Young and her husband Steve of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Shannon Wright and her husband Bill of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and their daughters Mackenzie and Hayden.

On his deathbed, Charles told his children not to be sad because he had lived a long and wonderful life and had the best family a guy could ask for.

The family would like to thank the amazing friends who have sustained them during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, those who would like to remember Charles in a special way may make gifts in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

If a city, county, or school district were to opt out, homeowners would not receive the floating homestead exemption.

“While opting out is a one-time decision, nothing precludes the city from in the future receiving a similar homestead exemption in the traditional manner,” Gray said.

New local option sales tax

HB 581 also creates a local option sales tax, known as FLOST, that’s tied to the floating homestead exemption. All parts of the bill would go into effect only if the referendum is approved.

The FLOST would also be aimed at providing property tax relief. A city or county would be eligible only if they offer a floating exemption, whether it’s an existing exemption or the

Another ballot question, Amendment 2, would create a tax court with statewide jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts. Currently, the tax tribunal is in the state’s executive branch, and this would establish a court in the Georgia judicial system, according to WABE.

“Georgia Referendum A” seeks to increase the property tax exemption for tangible personal property that’s worth $7,500 or less. The referendum would increase this to properties worth $20,000 or less, WABE reported.

Tangible personal property are things that are movable, like equipment, furniture and inventory, according to the Fulton County Board of Assessors.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 36-35-3(b)(1), notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia will consider amending the Charter of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia for the purpose of permitting members of the city council to be employed by other governmental entities except Dunwoody, Georgia or Dekalb County, Georgia within Article II, Section 2.13(e).

In Memoriam

Carolyn Frandsen Wright (“Kiki”)

January 17, 1939 – October 13,

Carolyn Frandsen Wright (“Kiki”), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on October 13, 2024, 70 days after her husband of 62 years, Ken.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she immediately developed a sense of adventure where she spent her childhood days in lock-step with her brother and the neighborhood boys. Forever a brilliant student, she graduated from Tulsa’s Central High School in 1957 and set off for Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas.

There, she maintained her exemplary academic record while serving as a beloved President of the Tri Delta sorority. In 1960, Kiki was crowned SMU’s homecoming queen. She graduated in 1961 and married her college sweetheart, Ken, in 1962.

Corporate relocations took the Wrights throughout the country, living in Dallas, Tulsa, Deerfield, and Seattle before landing in Dunwoody’s The Branches neighborhood in 1976. Everywhere she went, she made lifelong friendships which she maintained and cherished throughout her life.

In Georgia, Kiki raised her three children, managed the books for her husband’s company, and became an active tennis player. She was a hands-on mother, always happily involved in her children’s activities—from being a den mother for Cub Scouts to supporting cheerleading and drill teams at North Springs High School. Kiki’s brilliance, thoughtfulness and problem-solving skills were legendary. If something broke or someone needed help, you called Kiki—because she would make it right.

Winnie Ann Bolton, 86, of Alpharetta, passed away on October 5, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

John Edward Breyer, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away on October 6, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

2024

Throughout every step of life, Kiki adored her family and the feelings were mutual. A matriarch for the ages, she shared an especially close bond with her children who all moved to the Dunwoody area as adults to raise their families with Kiki’s helping hand. Known lovingly as “Baggie” to her grandchildren, she was a central figure in their lives— hosting sleepovers, costume parties, Nintendo 64 tournaments, and countless family events. She was their playmate, storyteller, fortbuilder, and trusted confidant.

An avid traveler, Kiki relished exploring Europe, riding camels in Egypt, and hiking America’s National Parks. She was happiest in, on, or near the water, whether it was Amelia Island, Lake Santeetlah, or the pool in her backyard. An avid reader, she was known to ruin many a paperback after falling asleep in the bath with a good book. She never met a game she didn’t like, and was especially adept at bridge and gin rummy. She was sarcastic and quick to laugh at a joke or herself.

Kiki will be missed beyond measure, but her love, intelligence, unwavering kindness, and joy for life will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. We are forever grateful for her presence in our lives and the memories she leaves behind.

Kiki is survived by her daughters Carrie Hancock of Dunwoody, Tracy Grady (Rob) of Sandy Springs, and her son Ken C. Wright III (Terri) of Dunwoody, as well as her beloved grandchildren Shelby Grady (Gavin), Tyler Hancock (Sarah Margaret), Will Grady, Troy Hancock, Cassidy Wright, and Clayton Wright.

Susan Ernst, 81, of Alpharetta, passed away on October 7, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jean Scogin, 64, of Roswell, passed away on October 9, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 36-35-3(b)(1), notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia will consider amending the Charter of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia for the purpose of permitting certain gifts or donations without limitations from individuals, charities, and benevolent or philanthropic organizations: (1) to provide aid and support of law enforcement; or (2) to provide aid and support of city personnel facing hardships due to a serious health condition of the employee (or immediate family member defined as spouse, child, or parent) within Article II, Section 2.13(a)(4).

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, December 5, 2024 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 24-18, 1400 Vernon Ridge Close: Two variances: one from Sec. 16-78 to allow a porch to encroach into the 75-foot stream buffer and one from Sec. 27-58 to allow a porch to encroach into the front setback.

ZBA 24-19, 5031 Oak Trail Drive: Variance from Sec. 27-269 to allow retaining walls to encroach into the rear and side setback.

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.

Rachel Siders, 86, of Roswell, passed away on October 9, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Vera Quaranta, 90, of Roswell, passed away on October 11, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Bookkeeping/Accounting/Tax

Donor Operations Associate The Donor Operations Associate greets and removes donations from vehicles and then sorts the merchandise in a designated area. They are responsible for keeping the merchandise secure, all areas free of debris, and the donor door area neat and clean. This position is the face of NFCC, so they are expected to provide excellent customer service and treat each donor, volunteer, and staff member professionally and with a friendly demeanor.

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in extreme hot and cold conditions. Must have the ability to work in extreme temperatures, ability to lift up to 75lbs and or use a lift aid, ability to push and pull items, and be able to stand for up to 8 hours.

To apply, please submit a resume to Marten Jallad, Director of Thrift and Donor Operations, NFCC, mjallad@nfcchelp.org

Childcare Associate: The NFCC Childcare Associate has the critical role of providing a safe and welcoming environment for children from the ages 2 to 11 while their parents attend classes in the NFCC Education Programs. Contract position with competitive hourly rate, Evenings 5 – 8 pm. Contact Carol Swan at cswan@nfcchelp.org to apply.