ross COfficial newsletter R ads of the August 2009 Suwanee makes ‘Money’s’ Summer doldrums? best places to live list – Suwanee’s got the again ‘Tonic’ and more Once again, Money maga- Two bands with huge hits in the mid to late 1990s zine has found life in Suwanee and early 2000s will rock Suwanee with free concerts in to be sweet. Suwanee is includ- August and September. ed in the magazine’s 2009 list of America’s 100 best places to live. A regional model for open space preservation and creation of parks as well as smart- growth development, Suwanee was ranked number 35 in Money’s 2009 list of best small towns. “We’re so proud to have our community recognized nationally,” says Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams. “As a community, we’ve Concert in the Park undertaken some bold measures, that through collaboration and diligence, have helped to create an outstanding quality of life. We’ll Following a several-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated, continue to build on this momentum to ensure that Suwanee platinum-selling Tonic is back on tour and will headline remains a great place to live.” Suwanee’s annual Concert in the Park on August 15. “If You Could Only See,” from the band’s debut In compiling this year’s best places list, Money paid particular album Lemon Parade was the most-played song of attention to economic-related factors. Other data that Money used in 1998. In 2003, Tonic received two Grammy nomina- its consideration of more than 2,400 small towns with populations tions for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group Continued on page 4 for “Take Me as I Am” and for Best Rock Album for Head on Straight. Tonic founders singer/songwriter Emerson Hart and INSIDE THIS ISSUE… guitarist Jeff Russo, childhood friends, are joined by Sowing community Dan Lavery on bass. The band recently released A garden seeds…p. 6 Casual Affair: The Best of Tonic and is scheduled to release a new studio album this fall. Atlanta-based Sunset Love Affair will open the free concert at 7 p.m. Bring chairs, picnics, friends, and neighbors. Food and beverages, including beer and wine, will be avail- able for purchase, but no alcohol may be brought into Shades of Town Center Park. Paddle in green…p. 8 the park…p. 5 Continued on page 4 Page 2 August 2009 www.suwanee.com Suwanee’s 2010 budget is balanced; no tax increases proposed At $11.3 million, the City of Suwanee’s operating budget for fiscal year 2010 is approximately $1 million, or 8 percent, less than last year’s adopted budget. The City began operations under the 2010 balanced budget on July 1. No increases in any City tax rates are proposed. City Council is expected to set the millage rate at its August 25 meeting. “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. At this time, there is no need for any tax increases. We’re pleased to avoid passing along to our citizens any additional hardship during these difficult times.” Expenditures will focus largely on maintaining current service and staffing levels, implementing the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, and funding needed capital projects. Annual bond payments of approximately $1.62 million – for Suwanee’s award-winning open space initiative and new City Hall – account for 13.5 percent of the City’s expenditures. New general fund expenditures in FY2010 include: Marty Allen • $189,000 in additional expenses for operation of new facilities, including City Hall and a new public works facility • about $12,000 to continue operation of a digital records conversion and storage initiative • $61,800 for state-mandated stormwater requirements. One of the measures taken to offset an anticipated $482,000 decrease in revenues, due largely to declining proper- ty tax values and slower business growth, is a Citywide salary freeze. In addition, cost-saving changes to the City’s healthcare benefits package were made. Staffing levels are expected to remain the same; no new positions were added. Suwanee’s budget relies on anticipated rev- Where the money goes… enues; no fund balance will be used for operating expenses. However, a total of $591,200 Culture & Recreation ($287,450 from the general fund balance and 2.7% $303,750 from the water fund) is allocated for capital improvements to the City’s water system. The City has applied for federal grant dollars that Housing & Development may reduce the City’s contributions. 10.3% Public Works Suwanee’s general fund balance of about $7.3 17.6% million provides for approximately seven months of operating expenditures. “Due to sound finan- cial planning and controlled quality growth,” Debt Service says Allen, “the City of Suwanee has been able to 13.5% establish an appropriate ‘savings account’ and maintain financial stability.” In addition to its $11.3 million operating budget, the City has a proposed five-year capital General projects budget of more than $26 million, to be Government utilized to complete or undertake some 36 proj- Public Safety 17.6% Other Financing Uses ects. Among the capital projects funds are a 32.9% 2.4% remaining $1.1 million in voter-approved open space bond funds, part of which will be used to create a community garden in 2010, as well as Judicial voter-approved SPLOST (Special Purpose Local 3.0% Option Sales Tax) funds. August 2009 Page 3 The City of Suwanee anticipates $2.3 mil- lion in new SPLOST revenues over the next Where the money comes from… 12 months, which will be used for police Investment facility enhancements, Suwanee Creek Income Contributions Greenway renovations and extension, road 1.7% 0.8% resurfacing and repairs, and a Sims Lake Trail connector. Miscellaneous Charge “Voter-approved SPLOST funds continue Fines & Forfeitures 0.1% for Services 9.8% to provide relief for the general fund and 1.3% allow the City of Suwanee to undertake proj- Other Financing Sources 0.0% ects that might otherwise not be accom- Regulatory Fees plished,” notes Allen. 0.7% Licenses & Permits 1.7% Penalty & Interest “Due to sound financial planning and 0.1% controlled quality growth, the City of General Property Suwanee has been able to establish an Business Taxes 59.9% appropriate ‘savings account’ and main- 11.1% tain financial stability.” – City Manager Marty Allen Selective Sales & Use 12.8% Three Council posts on November ballot A Citywide election is scheduled to be held November 3 to elect three City Councilmembers. Candidates who wish to run for election may qualify from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, August 31, through Wednesday, September 2, at City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue. The qualifying fee is $270. The Council posts up for election and the Councilmembers currently serving in those positions are: • Post 3 – Kevin McOmber • Post 4 – Jace Brooks • Post 5 – Dan Foster Each post is elected Citywide. In order to run for For up-to-date City Council, candidates must be a resident of the municipal limits of the City of Suwanee, registered to information about vote, and at least 18 years old. The election will take place from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. community events, November 3 at City Hall. Absentee voting will be available begin- ning October 12. The deadline to register to vote in this election is October 5. Voter registration is available online at www.sos.ga.gov, or forms are available at City Hall, meetings, Gwinnett County Public Library branches, or the Gwinnett County Elections and Voter Registration Office. and more, visit Pollworkers are needed. Contact City Clerk Elvira Rogers at [email protected] or 770/945-8996 for more information. www.suwanee.com Page 4 August 2009 www.suwanee.com Best places to live…continued from page 1 between 8,500 and 50,000 related to schools, crime rate, home affordability, and other quality of life factors. In a write-up about Suwanee on its website, Money/CNN says that the community “works hard to be family friendly.” “The City of Suwanee has the whole package,” wrote Francena Maloney on Suwanee’s Facebook page. “We have parks, greenspace, award-winning schools, an involved and caring police force and a city government that is on the cutting edge.” “I have been in Suwanee 11 years and have watched it grow into an amaz- ing city,” Lynda Spencer wrote on Facebook. “Town Center is charming, the parks are wonderful, the schools are terrific – it's a great place to live and play!” Suwanee’s two Money magazine rankings [in 2007, Suwanee was ranked number 10] confirm results released earlier this year of the National Citizen Survey. The independent survey of residents was con- ducted collaboratively through the National Research Center, Inc. and the International City/County Management Association. Ninety-seven per- cent of respondents said Suwanee was an excellent or good place to live. Other Georgia cities on Money’s 2009 list of best places to live are Peachtree City at number 8 and Martinez at 63. Summer doldrums?…continued from page 1 Suwanee Day concert Blessid Union of Souls’ 8 p.m. performance on September 19 will punctuate the Suwanee Day entertainment line-up. Blessid Union of Souls (BUOS to fans) 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- Suwanee Day spiced alternative rock.” will entertain you Originally formed in Cincinnati, BUOS recent- The Suwanee Day festival offers ly has changed up management companies, record labels, and band members.