‘Timid’ black bears pose little risk to humans but can still be a neighborhood nuisance ► PAGE 4 J u l y 3 0 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 0 , N o . 3 1
Tax digest delay Johns Creek finds Clean Eatz puts Fulton County finances at risk By HANNAH YAHNE & ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE hannah@appenmedia.com erlandrya@appenmedia.com
event space and outdoor recreation area just behind City Hall, 11360 Lakefield Drive. With advanced sound equipment and performance areas, the area is wellsuited to host events, including the city’s America 250 Independence Day celebration, which attracted about 15,000 visitors.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County needs a Superior Court judge’s permission to begin collecting 2026 property taxes after delays finishing this year’s tax digest. Without that approval, the county risks missing debt payments and being unable to pay employees, while cities and the school system risk losing out on tax revenue and the ability to make their own financial decisions. The county’s Board of Commissioners approved a petition seeking a court order July 15. If a judge agrees, the county will remain on track to bill property owners by Aug. 15 with a payment due date of Oct. 15. However, property owners would be taxed at the 2025 millage rate. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Whitmore said her office was hoping to propose this year’s millage rate and begin the subsequent public hearing process, but a backlog of 292 unprocessed land packages has resulted in an unfinished tax digest. Those packages represent about 1,000 land parcels, many of which are not residential, according to Commissioner Dana Barrett. Commissioner Bridget Thorne said the delay is happening because only one employee has been using Esri, the county’s geographic information system. That system integrates maps and records
See PURCHASE, Page 19
See FULTON, Page 18
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Yao Peng, center, stands with her daughter Pepper, left and an employee Allison, right, at Clean Eatz in Johns Creek. Read the story on Page 8
Johns Creek could enhance The Boardwalk with land purchase By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A lakefront office could help Johns Creek activate The Boardwalk, which is emerging as a popular gathering and recreation space. The city has entered a due diligence period for the 5.86-acre property at 11555 Medlock Bridge Road, which hosts
a two-story office building on a lake opposite City Hall. The city council approved its purchase for $8.58 million. City leaders are considering the site as a way of improving the experience of visitors to The Boardwalk, with amenities such as parking and bathrooms or businesses like a restaurant, venue or rooftop bar. Opened in May, The Boardwalk is an