The Mayor and City Council got their first formal look at the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2009 at their August 25 Work Session. Finance Director Monte Vavra gave a brief overview of anticipated revenues and proposed general fund expenditures along with proposed Capital Improvement Projects.

The Mayor and Council will discuss the budget proposal in greater detail at their September 8 Work Session starting at 5 pm. Other key dates are:

• Sept. 8, 7 pm:  First Reading of Budget Ordinance and first Public Hearing
• Sept. 15, 5 pm:  Budget discussion with Mayor and Council
• Sept. 22, 7 pm:  Second Reading, second Public Hearing and adoption

The City's Fiscal Year runs from October 1 to September 30. Click on the links below to review the 2009 documents.

General Fund Revenues | General Fund Expenditures
Budget Requests By Department

The four-week "Johns Creek 101" program starts September 9 and there is still time for you to be part of the inaugural class.

Offered by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City, this program offers residents and business owners the opportunity to learn how the City of Johns Creek came to be, meet the people who run your City, and find out what they do for you each day.

For more information or to register online, visit the Chamber Web site.

Celebrate the changing seasons and enjoy a fun-filled day at the City's Fall Family Festival at Newtown Park Saturday, September 13 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Enjoy music, food, arts and crafts, carnival games, moonwalk, giant slide and an obstacle course; it's a day of fun for the whole family.

Held in conjunction with the Newtown Park Athletic Association and coinciding with their fall team photo day, the festival is expected to draw more than 2,000 players, parents and siblings throughout the day. It is a perfect venue for local businesses and organizations that want to gain exposure with hundreds of families living within a few miles.

To participate, contact Sunnie.Roth@JohnsCreekGA.gov or call 678-512-3256 or download an application. Vendors are asked to make a $100 booth donation or in-kind gift to support Newtown Park and Athletic Association activities. The vendor application deadline is September 8.

Johns Creek Police 'Officer of the Quarter,'
Tanesha Taylor, center, is congratulated by
awards sponsor BB&T's VP Deborah Hicks, far
left, City Manager John Kachmar and Police
Chief Ed Densmore, far right.

Johns Creek Police Crime Scene Technician Tanesha Taylor was selected as the Department's first "Officer of the Quarter" at an August 1 awards luncheon.

"She was chosen for her dedication and her entire job performance. It [her performance] went way above the call," said Johns Creek Police Chief Ed Densmore. target="_blank">Read more.

Fulton County high school students had the second highest SAT average in the state, according to test results released recently by the Georgia Department of Education, with Johns Creek's two high schools helping lead the way.

Northview High School recorded the third highest school average in the state and Chattahoochee High came in at number eight overall.

This year's average for Fulton is 1593 (out of a possible 2400). That is a four-point increase from last year. Scores from seven of the 15 Fulton County high schools were in the state's top 20, led by Northview's 1691. NHS also earned the highest average math score in the state. Chattahoochee's 1667 average is a 13-point jump over last year. The statewide average score is 1466 while the national average is 1511.

Mayor Mike Bodker and City Council recognized the City of Johns Creek's first-ever swim team with medals and a congratulatory resolution at the August 25 Council meeting.

Blast off with 'Space Chimps'

The City of Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division presents the final installment of this year's Northside Forsyth Hospital Movies in the Park on Saturday, October 4 at Newtown Park with a screening of "Space Chimps."

Ride along with Ham III, the grandson of the first chimp astronaut, who blasts off into space with two of his simian peers by an opportunity-seeking senator on a mission to rid a far-away planet of their nefarious leader.

Children's activities are available from 7 pm until the movie starts at dusk. Food vendors will also be available. No alcohol please!

The exhibit "Anne Frank: A History for Today" opens at the Spruill Oaks Library in Johns Creek December 5 with noted author and Chair of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust Sylvia Wygoda speaking.

The library will also host author, Holocaust Survivor and Chair of the Department of Sociology at Georgia State University, Dr. Eugen Schoenfeld on October 16. Please check the City Web site for more information coming soon.

Save the date:  Mayor's Ball

The 2008 Mayor's Ball hosted by the Johns Creek Foundation takes place Saturday evening, November 1 at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Watch the City Web site for more details to come.

Johns Creek City Hall, Municipal Court and Police Department administrative offices will be closed Monday, September 1 for Labor Day.