Monday night’s meeting wrapped up a busy month of May for Tucker’s staff and City Council. Staff compiled the City’s first-ever full-year budget, a $7.6 million plan that was presented to the Mayor and Council. After weeks of discussion and a public hearing, Council approved the budget on a 6-0 vote. The budget promises to boost the City’s reserve fund from $2 million to $3 million. It also allocates funds for several new staff positions including a Parks and Recreation Director, a service the City is taking over from DeKalb County.
In separate actions, Council approved an amended budget for the current fiscal year, as well as taking the procedural measure of adopting an ordinance that establishes a fiscal year.
Council also approved a proposed multi-family project, the Northlake Senior Apartments. The five-story complex, which will have 90 units reserved for residents 62 and older, was passed on a 6-0 vote. It will be located on Northlake Parkway, just across from the new Tucker Meridian Shopping Center on the former Steak & Ale property.
The next item on the agenda saw Council adopt an ordinance to adjust the City’s hotel/motel tax to the eight percent rate that is uniform across unincorporated DeKalb County. By one estimate, this move will create an additional $171,000 in funds to be spent on projects in Tucker’s Parks and Recreation facilities.
Finally, Council approved the expansion of the Tucker-Northlake and Stone Mountain Community Improvement Districts (CIDs).
The meeting began with a special tribute, as Mayor Auman presented a proclamation in honor of longtime Tucker High School Principal James Jackson. Principal Jackson is leaving Tucker to take a position with the DeKalb County School District. Because of his contributions and service to the young people of Tucker, the Mayor declared May 22 to be James P. Jackson Day.
