Johns Creek in the swim
Youth community leagues are the tops
The most happening place in Johns Creek on Thursdays in June was most likely a subdivision swimming pool.
McKenzie Wallace, Emily Johnson, Becca Arlington and Olivia McDonald of the Haynes Landing Hurricanes showed well at a June 21 meet against Nesbitt Lakes.
That's because nearly 4,000 Johns Creek youth, ages 6-18, participated this summer in the North Atlanta Swim Association (NASA), creating nearly 40 meets every Thursday, each with hundreds of swimmers.
An offshoot of the 50-year-old Atlanta Swim Association, NASA – one of six summer leagues in Metro-Atlanta – is the largest, with nearly 12,000 swimmers, says NASA League Coordinator Franke Marsden. Nearly 1/3 of them are from Johns Creek.
Millage rate set at 4.614
On June 28, after three public hearings over a month-long process, City Council set a millage rate of 4.614 for the City's first fiscal year (2007). This rate will be used to determine City Property Taxes, which will be billed by the Fulton County Tax Commissioner in July and are due no later than October 15.
Though the City Charter allows Council to set a millage rate as high as 4.731, Council chose to keep the same millage rate previously levied in 2006 by Fulton County on property in the NE Fulton Special Services District, which encompassed the area now within the City of Johns Creek.
"The millage rate chosen by the Council represents an effort to manage our City's finances conservatively while at the same time demonstrate to citizens our desire to build their trust and begin increasing public service levels," said Bodker.
By comparison, current millage rates for adjoining cities are: Roswell (6.087), Alpharetta (6.60), Duluth (5.191) and Suwanee (5.77).
The millage rate is applied to each $1,000 of taxable property value. Taxable property value is calculated by taking 40% of full value to determine the assessed value of the property and then reducing the result by the amount of exemptions for which the property owner is eligible. A typical example is shown below:
| |
Full Value
Assessed Value
Less: Standard Homestead Exemption
Taxable Value
Divided by 1,000 = Taxable Value per mill
Multiplied by millage rate
City Taxes |
$ 300,000
X 40%
_________
$ 120,000
- $ 15,000
_________
$ 105,000
$ 105.00
X 4.614
_________
$ 484.47 |
As provided by Georgia law, property values for tax purposes are determined by the Fulton County Board of Tax Assessors. As noted above, City property tax bills will be mailed in July and collected by the Fulton County Tax Commissioner at the same time as County taxes. All property taxes are due no later than October 15.
City selects Interim Police Chief
Former Gwinnett Chief tapped
 The City of Johns Creek has selected William H. Dean, former Gwinnett County Chief of Police, as Interim Police Chief in preparation for the City forming its own Police Department sometime late this year/early 2008.
Dean, 59, served 31 years with the Gwinnett County Police Department, five of them as Chief. Before retiring in 2004, Dean served with the state Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, conducting over 25 on-site inspections of police and sheriff departments to verify compliance with nationally recognized standards for law enforcement agencies.
Both police and fire services are currently being provided to the City by Fulton County. The Charter incorporating the City on December 1, 2006, allowed for these services to be provided by the County for up to two years.
Transportation update:
McGinnis Ferry, Medlock Bridge
Late last month, the Georgia Department of Transportation allotted a $39.4 million contract to the C.W. Matthews Contracting Company to widen McGinnis Ferry Road from two to four lanes with a center median.
The 3-year project – which stretches from Sargent Road to and across the Chattahoochee – will begin in August with utility relocation and clearing. Once completed, the new thoroughfare will have median openings at major intersections, six new traffic signals and a new bridge across the river.
Several major improvements to GA-141/Medlock Bridge Road will begin in August and are set to be completed in November:
- resurfacing from the Chattahoochee to McGinnis Ferry
- 2nd left turn lane added turning north off Old Alabama Road
- 2nd left turn lane onto State Bridge (both northbound and southbound)
GDOT is also currently upgrading all traffic signals along GA-141/ Medlock Bridge Road by making all sidewalks ADA-compliant (American Disabilities Act) and replacing traffic signal heads and controllers. These improvements are set to be completed by end of September.
Residents tapped for citizen Boards
 Sixteen Johns Creek residents were appointed last month to three volunteer citizen boards, which will assist in the governance of the City.
Walter Hobbs, Steve Noury, Edwin Pearlman, Michael Stoll and Michele Wade were appointed to the Alcohol Licensing and Review Board.
Fred Bradley, Linda Broyles, Wayne Carrel, Scott Thompson and Jim Warren were appointed to the Construction Board of Appeals.
Anne Dantzler, Eric Fragoso, Bill Lopez, Kerry Middlebrooks, John Di Pietro and Rhonda Wilson were appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Movies in the Park
July 13 – "Over the Hedge"
Join your family and friends at Newtown Park Saturday, July 19, for the 2nd Johns Creek Movies in the Park, featuring "Over the Hedge."
Children's activities are available from 6 pm on until the movie starts, which is at dusk. Bring your blanket and picnic. Food vendors will also be available. No alcohol, please.
Newtown Park is located on Old Alabama Road just east of Haynes Bridge Road. For directions visit www.NewtownRec.com.
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