No tax increases proposed
for 2010 balanced budget

Suwanee’s $11.3 million balanced operating budget for fiscal year 2010 is approximately $1 million, or 8 percent, less than last year’s adopted budget. No increases in any City tax rates are proposed for the 2010 budget, recently adopted by City Council, and the millage rate is proposed to remain at 5.77 mills.

“Suwanee remains economically strong and fiscally sound,” says City Manager Marty Allen. “We did have to make a few concessions to economic conditions in our 2010 budget due to an anticipated decrease in revenues. We were able to balance the budget by decreasing expenditures and delaying some worthwhile purchases and programs.”

Expenditures will focus largely on maintaining current service and staffing levels, implementing the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, and funding needed capital projects. One of the measures taken to offset an anticipated $482,000 decrease in revenues, due largely to declining property tax values and slower business growth, is a Citywide salary freeze.

Read the full press release about Suwanee’s 2010 budget or view our budget in brief brochure.

Suwanee going green-er

Suwanee’s new City Hall, which includes a “cool roof,” was designed to be LEED certified. This is just one way in which Suwanee is working to be a green community.

City Council has adopted several policies that should help Suwanee earn certification through the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Green Communities Program.

“We’re not attempting to re-tilt the world,” says Wes Rogers, Suwanee’s senior environmental planner. “In many ways, Suwanee is already a green city. We’re simply taking it to the next level and acknowledging that there are some things that we can do to use our environmental resources more efficiently. These new policies are meant to change the way that City employees think and encourage us to modify some of our daily behaviors.”

Established in 2008, the ARC Green Communities Program is designed to encourage local governments to reduce their environmental footprint through policies and practices and, in turn, encourage citizens and businesses to do the same. Read more about Suwanee’s Green Communities efforts.

The bands of summer

Tonic will rock Town Center Park August 15. Then just a little more than a month later, the Suwanee Day festival will welcome Blessid Union of Souls on September 19. Both concerts are free.

Tonic

Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling Tonic is back on tour following a several-year hiatus. “If You Could Only See,” from the band’s debut album Lemon Parade was the most-played song of 1998. In 2003, Tonic received two Grammy nominations for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for “Take Me as I Am” and for Best Rock Album for Head on Straight. More information.

Blessid Union of Souls

Blessid Union of Souls produced three albums in the mid to late 1990s and a string of hits, including its two biggest: 1995’s “I Believe” and 1999’s “Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me).” At Suite101.com, reviewer Craig Sanders describes the band’s music as “country-spiced alternative rock.”  More information.

‘Groovy’ design selected
for Suwanee Day

Suwanee resident Shannon Scheels has been attending the annual Suwanee Day festival every year since her son was born 8 years ago. This year she’ll have additional motivation to attend the community celebration: Her design has been selected as the official 2009 festival logo.

Scheels’ retro, 1960s-style design was among 81 entries from 62 individuals submitted through this year’s design competition.

“The selection panel loved the bright colors and tie-dyed lettering in Shannon’s design,” says Suwanee Events Coordinator Amy Doherty. “Her design reflects the energy and celebratory nature of Suwanee Day.”

The design will be printed on t-shirts provided to Suwanee Day volunteers and available for purchase at the festival.

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