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July 10, 2025 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976
Pay raise goes into effect for Dunwoody city staff City’s mill rate remains fixed; Some may see rise in tax bill DUNWOODY, Ga. — In a continued effort to support its full-time employees, Dunwoody has implemented a 4.9 percent mid-year pay increase effective July 1. The Dunwoody City Council approved the measure last October. The city says the pay raise reinforces its commitment to maintaining a highperforming and well-supported police force, emphasizing the increases for
sworn officers over other employees. Since 2021, the city has increased pay eight separate times for police in a push to make the department more competitive with surrounding jurisdictions. Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson told Appen Media in June that his department is just a couple of sworn officers away from being fully staffed. Base salaries for Dunwoody police
officers will range from $62,301 to $99,682, with additional pay available for officers with college degrees. New hires are also eligible for a $15,000 signing bonus, which is distributed over time. City Manager Eric Linton said public safety remains the highest priority for elected officials in Dunwoody.
See RAISE, Page 10
Thousands line streets for 4th of July parade By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Fourth of July morning in Dunwoody means a few things: thousands lining Mount Vernon Road, hundreds of floats and a party at the Village. As event organizer, Dunwoody Homeowners Association members told the Crier they think the organization will break even this year. To keep community traditions like the Fourth of July Parade going, they said, there needs to be buyin from longtime residents,
community cornerstones and new-to-town businesses. Platinum sponsor Big Play Atlanta, located in the former Lidl grocery store at 2480 Mount Vernon Road, served as staging ground for many of the floats. The All Saints Catholic Church parking lot across the street teemed with Corvettes and local politicians. Gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves, Sandy Springs state Sen. Josh McLaurin and DeKalb County CEO Lorraine CochranJohnson were all spotted soaking in the sun.
See PARADE, Page 13
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Mayor Lynn Deutsch waves to patrons as she heads down Dunwoody Village Parkway during the Fourth of July Parade.
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council approved the city’s 2025 property tax rate June 30, maintaining a 3.04-mill levy. Most homeowners with homestead exemptions will see no change in their city tax bill. The city expects property taxes to increase 3.61 percent for commercial, rental and non-homesteaded properties. Out of around 12,600 residential properties in Dunwoody, fewer than 2,000 will see an increase in city taxes because of the assessment freeze for homesteaded properties baked into the city’s charter. The city has kept its millage rate flat since 2022 when elected officials approved raising it to the cap of 3.04 mills. More than 85 percent of homeowners also have a homestead exemption, automatically lowering the rate to 2.04 mills. A tax rate of 1 mill represents a tax liability of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value on property.
See RATE, Page 10
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