Johns Creek City Hall, Municipal Court and Police Department administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. As always, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 911; for non-emergency public safety service, call 404-730-7109.

Please be extra careful with fire! Despite recent rains, dry conditions persist and both fireworks and outdoor grilling require extra caution.

The Johns Creek City Council on June 16 approved a property tax rate of $4.614 per $1,000 of assessed value, the same level that was in effect the previous year. Overall, the City's property tax revenue is expected to increase by almost $1.8 million or 10.2% over 2007. Of that increase, about 4.7% was the result of increased valuations; the remainder is being generated by new construction and property improvements.

Johns Creek taxes are included on the overall tax bill issued by Fulton County, which is expected to mail those bills in July. Payment is due to the county by October 15.

A job fair June 21 introduced the future Johns Creek Fire Department to firefighters from across Metro Atlanta, many of them applying on the spot.

Nearly 100 job seekers turned out, for a total of about 300 applications received to date for the 78 JCFD firefighter positions.

“We are very pleased with the quality of the response we’ve gotten from many dedicated firefighting professionals who want to join us here in Johns Creek,” said Fire Chief Joseph Daniels. “We’re going to have to make some tough decisions.”

Physical agility testing was held the last weekend in June for the first round of applicants.

The Metro Atlanta Mayors Association elected Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker as its 2008-09 chairman during the Georgia Municipal Association's 75th Annual Conference June 23 in Savannah.

MAMA, formed in 2003 to increase communications among cities in the metro Atlanta region, consists of mayors from the 66 cities in 10 counties in the metro area. Read more.

Advance voting for the July 15 primary election takes place Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11 at the North Annex, 7741 Roswell Road, Room 209. Hours have been extended to 8:30 am to 7 pm.

Contact the North Fulton Annex at 404-613-7675 with any questions, or to view sample ballots and read more, visit Elections on the Fulton County website.

Johns Creek's first Comprehensive Plan/Transportation Master Plan/Green Plan has moved through the research and community input phases and is now in draft form. The Community Agenda, as the actual plan is referred to, was presented at the 1st of 3 required public hearings on June 10, this one before the Planning Commission.

Commissioners forwarded the plan with their recommendation to the Mayor and City Council, which will hold the 1st of its 2 hearings on July 14. That meeting begins at 7 pm in the Council Chambers, City Hall 3rd floor, 12000 Findley Road. Review the staff recommendation.

Development of the City budget for Fiscal Year 2009 is now under way as department heads begin assembling their respective line items. Initial presentation of the proposed budget and Capital Improvement Program to the Mayor and City Council will take place at the August 25 Council work session.

Council will hold public hearings on the budget at their regular meetings on September 8 and 22, with adoption scheduled after the 2nd hearing on the 22nd.

The City's fiscal year runs October 1 through September 30. Check the City Web site for updates on the budget process.

Have some free time? Want to make a difference in the lives of others? Then Senior Services of North Fulton can use your help.

SSNF touches the lives of thousands of older adults in North Fulton and volunteers are at the heart of what they do. They welcome volunteers of all ages and will work with you to find a job that matches your schedule, interests and abilities.

Some of the opportunities include:

• Delivering Meals on Wheels:  Deliver to 8-12 senior adults between 10 am and 1 pm.
• Friendly Visitor Program:  Visit senior clients in need of companionship once a week or every other week for an hour or 2, perhaps take them to doctor appointments, do yard work or help with easy tasks.
• Neighborhood Senior Center:  Located in Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs, open Monday through Friday. Variety of needs and opportunities exist.
• Office and Staff Support:  Office work, phone assistance, special events and other support of the SSNF mission.

If you would like to get involved, call 770-993-1906.