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Alpharetta sets aside $1.8 million surplus By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta City Council approved its fiscal year 2024 millage rate and budget Aug. 28, securing an extra $1.8 million in revenues for capital projects. City councilmembers voted 6-1 to formalize the millage, or property tax, rate and revised budget at the regular meeting. Councilman Jason Binder cast the dissenting vote for each. The rate is set at 5.75 mills, which the city has maintained since 2009. Most of the levy, 4.951 mills, covers operational costs. Revenue from the remaining 0.799 mills is dedicated to debt service on bonds. City staff said the transfer of 0.081 mills from debt service will result in an additional $505,000 to the general fund. Although the combined mill levy remains unchanged from its previous approval in June, the city reopened the process because of revised figures from Fulton County showing larger than anticipated growth in property values. The vote places the additional revenues into an unallocated capital projects account to be distributed to projects the City Council has earmarked as priorities. Capital projects are one-time, big-ticket items like street resurfacing and new equipment. Some of these projects include sidewalk, park and recreation facility renovations; facility assessments; and traffic
See PROJECTS, Page 12
INSIDE Candidates for council ► PAGE 3
Seized assets report ► PAGE 5
ADAM DARBY/APPEN MEDIA
Families of all ages gather to enjoy homemade ice cream flavors from local businesses and organizations to support a helpful cause.
Drake House ice cream event a sweet success By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The Drake House held its 19th annual Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ fundraiser at First Baptist Roswell on Sunday, Aug. 27. Each year, over 3,000 guests enjoy more than 100 homemade ice cream flavors from community businesses and organizations competing for top awards from local judges including Best Vanilla, Best Chocolate, Best Fruit, and Best Other Flavor. The gathering also
includes ice cream eating contests, music, and children’s activities. All proceeds from the event benefit the Drake House’s community outreach. “This event has been going on since the second year that the Drake House existed. So, we’ve been doing it every year,” said Lynn Wilson, Chair of the Drake House’s Board of Directors. “We think that providing ice cream made by community organizations and businesses that support our community is a great way to bring people together and reinforce
See FUNDRAISER, Page 11