APPEN PRESSCLU B

The funds, largely used to help the schools with COVID-19 impacts, total about $200 million. Those come alongside an increase in the area’s tax digest, estimated at around 4.5 percent.

Dereef said it’s not “just a plan with dollar signs,” and that the budget is also about showing support to students, schools and employees. It’s a message that was echoed at previous school board meetings.

Part of that support comes in the form of a 7.1 percent salary increase for the 2024 year. Dereef said the School Board ideally would have wanted employees to receive the raise permanently but knew it would not be feasible in the long term.

As a compromise, the school board decided on a permanent 5.1 percent

Housing:

Continued from Page 5

Parrish said she met with state representatives, including members of Sen. Raphael Warnock’s office to talk about using appropriation funds for the project. She said the office likely won’t provide an answer in time for the tax

Elections:

Continued from Page 3

Georgia joined a multi-state organization that cleans voter rolls, emphasizing it as an “objective” process.

“When we pull 300,000 people off the voter rolls at the end of the election cycle — guess what? They don’t live here. We know they don’t live here,” Raffensperger said. “We couldn’t pull them off because of federal law during election season like 2022, 2020.”

Raffensperger also spoke on the city’s recent drive to run its own municipal election, though the City Council decided to leave the process in the hands of Fulton County this year.

The City of Milton is the only North

Dereef responded that part of the challenge with maintenance funding is planning and procurement, but School Board members have asked for an increase in the maintenance budget previously.

AAfter Dereef’s presentation, Pozatek took over the meeting to announce some Fulton County Schools developments, including the purchase of 55 propane-powered school buses.

Pozatek stressed that the community should reach out with questions and feedback.

“I don’t want you to think twice just shoot me an email, hopefully before the (School Board) meeting,” Pozatek said. “I can find time for conversation or maybe even ask my fellow board members for some clarification.” credit deadline in May.

The city had also explored using COVID-19 funds in the past, the board said, but the group is uncertain about the logistics of accessing the funds.

Board members said it’s a “positive thing” in discussion.

The tax credit application is due by May 19, but the housing authority won’t know until November whether it has secured the funds.

Fulton municipality that will run its own elections this year.

“I think Milton is saying, ‘Well, we’d like to do it alone,’ Raffensperger said. “Bless their hearts.”

Raffensperger also described SB 84, a bi-partisan bill that protects elderly individuals and those with disabilities from financial exploitation. The bill has been passed, he said, and it’s waiting on a signature from Gov. Brian Kemp.

Bradberry stepped up to the podium to share his excitement for new city developments, like Town Center, Creekside Park and Cauley Creek Park, which is set to open this summer.

“I just think the future is very bright in Johns Creek,” Bradberry said.

The mayor is scheduled to give the “State of the City Address” April 27 at Chattahoochee High School from 6-8 p.m.