Members of the Tucker City Council approved a budget for fiscal year 2027 during a meeting on June 8.
The council members approved the budget with an amendment that allocated an additional $500,000 in the fiscal year 2028 budget away from Hugh Howell improvements and toward the South Fork Peachtree Creek Greenway in order to prioritize the completion of phase one by 2029. The project will connect 32 miles of trails between Tucker’s downtown and Emory University. This $500,000 would go toward the estimated $1.5 million needed to complete the first phase of the project.
More than $1 million in the 2027 budget was moved to fund the South Fork project during the council’s budget workshops. The funds were moved from allocations toward DeKalb Fire Station Trail Head Parking Spaces, the Downtown Archway, and sidewalks on Hugh Howell Road, according to a presentation given by city staff during Monday’s meeting.
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Changes to the budget approved by the council members also included an increase in the fee for renting the Tucker Town Green stage. Under the new budget, the stage rental will cost $300 per hour for six- or 12-hour blocks and $150 per hour for non-profit organizations.
Approvals and proclamations
A contract with KCI Technologies was also approved during Monday’s meeting for the development of an ADA Transition Plan Strategy. The strategy, which will serve as a comprehensive roadmap, methodology, and phased plan for ensuring Tucker is compliant of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
KCI Technologies will conduct a needs assessment, identification of existing conditions, the development of assessment tools and standardized documentation, a phasing plan with cost estimates, and a public engagement strategy. Council member Alexis Weaver said during the meeting that the public engagement will include a meeting with stakeholders with disabilities.
The project is scheduled to begin this month, and a final draft will be delivered to the city by October 1. The contract is for $56,000, $50,000 of which will be reimbursed through the DeKalb Community Development Block Grant Program.
City council members also approved a Special Land Use Permit to allow the construction of a Whataburger 24-hour drive-thru, which will be located at 4453 Hugh Howell Road, and contracts for tree services, stormwater repair services, and traffic signal, sign, and striping maintenance.
This month’s proclamations recognized Pride Month, Juneteenth, and Municipal Court Clerks Week.
Returning next month
Ordinances which will return to the next city council meeting on July 13 for a second reading and vote include the approval of a new 7 Brew drive-thru, the allowance of additional height to The Views from Browning luxury townhomes coming to downtown Tucker, and the establishment of a new child daycare facility.
