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Joyful Soles pairs campers with first responders By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — During the summer, educational visits from first responders, including local fire and police departments, are among the best parts of kids’ stays at Camp Joyful Soles in Milton. The camp, put on by the city’s parks and recreation department, is a seven-week outing for children ages 13 to 22 with mild to moderate disabilities. It brings in 35 campers, aiming to give them active, meaningful experiences that build connections and confidence. Camp Manager Brooke Nolan has worked with the camp for 10 years, spending the last several as its head. She said firefighters visit each Monday followed by police each Tuesday. The visits have been ongoing for as long as she can remember, offering a mix of educational opportunities and personal touchpoints with those who may help campers in a crisis. “I think it’s good for them to have interactions with first responders outside of an emergency … [also, it gives them the] opportunity to learn a little bit more and be comfortable,” Nolan said.
ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE/APPEN MEDIA
A Milton firefighter demonstrates gear for Camp Joyful Soles campers in Milton.
See JOYFUL, Page 26
Tax digest delay puts Fulton County finances at risk By HANNAH YAHNE & ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE hannah@appenmedia.com erlandrya@appenmedia.com 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.
See FULTON, Page 25
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