MJCC troupe strives with special needs ► PAGE 3
March 7, 2024 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976
State municipal organization honors three councilmembers CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED
From left, Councilwoman Catherine Lautenbacher, Councilman Rob Price, and Councilman Tom Lambert
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody City Council members Catherine Lautenbacher and Rob Price received the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute Certificate of Recognition during the Georgia Municipal Association’s Annual Cities United Summit Jan. 26-29. Lautenbacher and Price completed 42 hours of training, including at least 18 hours from the required list of courses. The training program consists of more than 70 courses.
Lautenbacher credits her training with the decision to hold last month’s Dunwoody City Council meeting at Dunwoody High School. “The idea to take the Council meeting on the road came from the City of Dublin,” she said. “As a result of this training, I’m better informed about my role, and therefore better able to serve our citizens.” The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort
of Georgia Municipal Association and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. “GMA training courses offer a great way to improve our knowledge of municipal issues and network with our peers,” Price said. “I’ve come away from these courses with new skills, new
See HONOR, Page 10
Dunwoody officials declare city finances remain sound By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — With residents and former officials questioning the financial health of the city, Dunwoody officials cited no deficit spending and pushed back against concerns surrounding any structural deficit. Finance Director Richard Platto presented the City Council Feb. 26 with a budget amendment “closing out and cleaning up” the fiscal year 2023 budget. He said revenues in the general fund for city operations are up $1.1 million, or 3 percent, and expenses increased by $606,200, or 2 percent. While the numbers are unaudited and subject to change, the windfall
means the budgeted use of fund balance, totaling $508,838, will not be needed, Platto said. What’s more, the unreserved fund balance is anticipated to add $1.6 million, bringing the city to 10 months of fund balance. According to internal estimates from city staff, 10 months of reserves is equivalent to some $25 million. Communications Director Jennifer Boettcher said the final amount won’t be known until the year-end audit has been completed and the financial statements have been published. While the city traditionally maintains a fund balance of from four
See FINANCES, Page 6
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody Finance Director Richard Platto, left, discusses the city budget Feb. 26 with Councilman Tom Lambert, right, during the Feb. 26 City Council meeting. Lambert said he was disheartened with any public perception that city finances are anything but “strong.”
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