October is budget time in Dunwoody, but we start the process months ahead of time. Over the summer, we met with every department head to review prior spending and set priorities for the next year and beyond. In late August, Mayor Deutsch and I submitted the FY2024 Proposed Budget to the City Council. You can find it using this link. The City’s Budget Committee met twice during September to dig into the numbers. Public hearings will be held during the Dunwoody City Council meetings on October 16 and October 30. After the second public hearing, the Mayor and Council are scheduled to vote on the 2024 Budget.

Police Pay

Now for some details. The proposed General Fund Budget of $33.4 million focuses on the Dunwoody Police Department ($12.2 million or 36.5 percent of the budget), Community Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works. It includes a full year of funding for pay increases for public safety and other staff that were put in place in January 2023 and again in August. This reflects the fact that we continue to make public safety a priority. The budget supports our efforts to keep police pay significantly above inflation to remain competitive in retaining and attracting top officers. We’re already seeing dividends with an increase in interest and applications.

SPLOST II

This budget cycle accounts for the possible renewal of the DeKalb Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). SPLOST II represents a continuation of SPLOST I, which was approved by voters in 2017. SPLOST II will be on the ballot on November 7. If it passes, it’s projected to generate more than $9 million annually for the City of Dunwoody for paving, intersection improvements, trailways, police vehicles and equipment, and park maintenance.  



As we look ahead, we see inflationary pressures weighing on the budget with significant increases in costs for healthcare, right-of-way maintenance, and technology. We’ll continue to be vigilant and engage in community conversations about budgeting issues going forward.

Groundbreaking:

I’m excited to watch the construction of the new Vietnam War Memorial at Brook Run Park. I had the honor of joining the Mayor and City Council, along with members of the Vietnamese American Community of Georgia (VAC-GA) and the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association (AVVBA) for the groundbreaking last month. Funded entirely through private donations, the new monument will be only the second memorial east of the Mississippi to feature an American Infantry soldier and a soldier from the former republic of South Vietnam standing side by side. You can read more about the project in my June update.

Looking ahead:

I’m excited to show off Dunwoody to my colleagues from across the state in October. The Georgia City-County Management Association will hold its 2023 Fall Conference at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia from October 24 - 27. The agenda includes a bus tour of Brook Run Park, Georgetown Park and Two Bridges Park, in addition to a walking tour down Hammond Drive to explore “50 Years of Perimeter.” I know we’ll make a great impression.

October is Arts & Culture Month in Dunwoody, and we have more to celebrate than ever. Our public art scene is growing, and our partners are creating exciting new programs. You can find information and an event calendar using this link: www.dunwoodyga.gov/artsandculturemonth.

Election reminders

The General Election for the City of Dunwoody is Tuesday, November 7. The last day to register or update your voter registration for this election is October 10. Advance voting begins on October 16 and ends on November 3.

This year’s ballot will include candidates for Dunwoody City Council, a city bond referendum, DeKalb SPLOST and EHOST. You can find more information in my September update.