Milton’s City Council on Monday approved a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Department of Transportation outlining that agency’s financial commitment to fund the Highway 9 widening project.

Deputy Public Works Director Rob Dell-Ross described the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as the start of “a long process” to revamp Highway 9 between Windward Parkway and the Forsyth County line. Future contracts will follow, with the first in the coming weeks enlisting an outside expert to help the City redesign the State Route and other related modifications.

The City will be responsible for day-to-day project management and project delivery. The Georgia Department of Transportation, or GDOT, “retains approval authority and will be working with us every step of the way until construction is finished,” said Dell-Ross. “And we’re all celebrating at the ribbon-cutting.”

“Staff intends to deliver the project as aggressively as we possibly can, while including the public outreach opportunities that our residents expect as well as working within the framework that Georgia DOT requires,” Dell-Ross added. “… We are ensuring that the finished project reflects Milton’s values.”

The MOU specifies that GDOT will reimburse the City of Milton 100% for engineering, right-of-way, and other costs so long as the project stays within its current footprint. If anything, though, that footprint could be smaller given the City plans to reduce the speed limit along that stretch to 35 mph.

After the Council’s unanimous approval, Mayor Peyton Jamison said, “This is good – the first step on a long journey. … I think it’s all going to work out in the end for Milton residents.”

CITY’S HR, IT TEAMS RECOGNIZED WITH PROCLAMATIONS

This vote came at the end of a meeting that began with the Council’s unanimous approval of a Consent Agenda that featured agreements with:

• Diversified Maintenance-RWS to provide janitorial services at eight City of Milton facilities
• Southern Sun Control to install clear film on City Hall windows, offering additional protection without altering the building’s aesthetics
• Tri Scapes to add the maintenance of 39 acres of newly designated greenspace off Hopewell Road to its scope of responsibility
• Orkin & Associates, which will get impact fee credits in recognition of upgrades at Crabapple Road and Birmingham Highway, at the McGinnis Ferry interchange, and to Milton’s multiuse trail network

Mayor Jamison then read a proclamation recognizing Tuesday, September 16, as IT Professionals Day – and, in so doing, the valuable contributions of the City’s dedicated, knowledgeable Information Services team. This group plays a pivotal role in ensuring programs, equipment, and other technology works well for police officers, firefighters, and other City staff, as well as for citizens.

This was followed by a second proclamation honoring the City’s Human Resources Department consisting of Matt Marietta, Jeanette Citta, and Ashley Kelly. Jamison lauded this strong team’s “unwavering commitment to excellence.”

“[These three] routinely demonstrate expertise, empathy, and a time-tested ability to do right by City staff and our community as a whole,” the proclamation read. “… Our HR team’s professionalism, responsiveness, and exemplary attitude make the City a better place to work, which supports retention.”

FY 2026 BUDGET WITH NEW SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER POSITIONS APPROVED

The other important items, and votes, on Monday’s Council agenda were budget related.

Deputy City Manager Bernadette Harvill gave a high-level overview on Monday regarding the then-proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which will run from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Her presentation and the Council’s ultimate unanimous vote capped a lengthy process that included multiple presentations to Council, as well as an initial Public Hearing earlier this month.

On Monday, Harvill touched on projected revenues and expenditures across the City’s general fund, five special revenue funds, and six capital project funds. The total forecast City government revenue for next fiscal year is $49.8 million, with related expenditures coming in just under that.  

The budget that the City Council unanimously approved incorporates a handful of new initiatives like the hiring of additional school liaison officers (who will have community outreach officer responsibilities when school isn’t in session), plus adding two Information Services professionals in a move that will save the City money. 

After the vote, Councilmember Phil Cranmer lauded Harvill’s attention to detail throughout the budget process as “phenomenal.” 

The Council also approved minor amendments to the current Fiscal Year 2025 budget on Monday. Harvill said the City should end this fiscal year with a general fund balance of about $12.7 million. 

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for the evening of Monday, October 6.