J a n u a r y 1 5 , 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 2 1 , N o . 3
County weighs funding options to ensure courts are fully staffed
By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Fulton County Board of Commissioners spent its first meeting of the year Jan. 7 addressing the county’s justice system and how best to shore up deficiencies. In the wake of Georgia legislation allowing the county to add two state court judges, commissioners weighed proposals on funding and staffing. County officials have revised down earlier budgeting requests for State Court, primarily by decreasing the number of clerks and solicitors general sought. Commissioners, however, did hear from a procession of court officials – including judges, clerks and public defenders – about the need to keep court divisions staffed properly. The current 2026 State Court budget calls for expending $2.8 million for 20 total employees, including 12 judges.
See FULTON, Page 21
Teen pedals ahead to help community ► PAGE 8
HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
Councilman Brian Dolan takes the oath of office Jan. 5 at the beginning of the Milton City Council meeting.
Milton council defers decision on citywide agriculture zoning By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — The Milton City Council denied a decision Jan. 5 that would have altered setback requirements for property zoned agricultural in the city. Following public comment from both sides, the council voted 5-2 to deny a proposed text amendment that would have applied to qualified subdivisions zoned Agricultural
City dampens zoning permits ► PAGE 4 Residential (AG-1). The amendment would have shortened front yard setbacks and extended those required in the rear. The decision allows council members, including new Councilman Brian Dolan, to examine the issue more thoroughly. “Let’s look at all of AG-1,” Council-
man Doug Hene said. “Let’s look at the tree canopy, let’s look at everything in totality so that we don’t inadvertently make an error in addressing one item of AG-1.” A majority of Milton's land is zoned AG-1, but the amendment would have only applied to subdivisions with lots smaller than 3 acres and internal streets that don’t allow pass-through access.
See COUNCIL, Page 22
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