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Snellville to mark 100 years of history with Aug. 18-19 Centennial Celebration

Centennial LogoSNELLVILLE - The city’s centennial will be celebrated through a variety of events Aug. 18-19.

The celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 on the Towne Green in front of City Hall with a variety of food trucks, music, fun and games along with an antique car display on Oak Road representing cars dating back to 1923. 

As part of the celebration on Friday, Experience Snellville will be giving away 100 Eskimo Pie-type bars to the first 100 people who pick up a free ticket at the volunteer booth. The tickets will be given out on a first come, first serve basis and can be redeemed at the Frozen Sweets Food Truck.

Antique carThere will be kid’s zone with inflatables and a video gaming bus will be located next to City Hall. Both the inflatables and gaming bus will be free to play at this event.

Meet some historic Snellville ghosts from the past and join Snellville Performing Arts behind City Hall at 8:30 p.m., Friday for the hauntingly fun Ghost Tour. Donations will be accepted for the tour.

On Saturday, come to the Farmers’ Market dressed in clothing from a former decade for a chance to win prizes. Stop by the Farmers’ Market volunteer booth to show off your centennial clothing and register for one of the prizes that will be drawn at 12 p.m. at the Farmers’ Market.

Saturday evening, the Atlanta Seventeen Band will take the stage from 6-9 p.m., playing music through the decades. Come listen to music from the Roaring 20s to Soul, R&B, Jazz and Rock. The second night of the Snellville Performing Arts Ghost Tour starts immediately after the concert at 9:15 p.m.

Centennial cakeAt 8 p.m. the giant centennial City of Snellville birthday cake surrounded by 100 sparklers will be brought to the front of the stage by the Masons from the Masonic lodge for a Happy Birthday sing-a-long. Cake will be served to the community in attendance. 

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$15.33 million budget approved by Mayor and Council

SNELLVILLE – Mayor and Council unanimously approved a Fiscal Year 2024 budget of $15.33 million Monday.

The plan will not include a tax increase for residents who did not see their county property tax assessments increase, city officials said.

“The great, great majority of this increase is in salaries,” said City Manager Butch Sanders. “We all want to thank Mayor and Council for being very supportive and very insistent on doing more for our employees.”

Following a study of salaries from similar Georgia cities, the salaries of the city’s employees were increased as a whole to become more competitive.

“We are taking care of our public safety officers first and foremost by raising our starting salary and increasing numbers throughout the police department,” he said.

The millage rate will be set by Mayor and Council in early July.

The budget will see a spending increase of 4 percent or $634,019.

Revenue is down in several categories as inflation has curtailed development, a factor reflected in the budget.

There was no public comment regarding the budget before it was passed, Monday.

Other budget highlights include:

  • $800,000 is budgeted for the street resurfacing projects.

  • $950,800 will be allocated for the city’s annual stormwater repair projects.

  • Sanitation and recycling services are subsidized with $1.18 million property tax collections.

  • The only planned capital expense is $150,000 for a new bucket truck at the Public Works Department.

View the adopted budget at: https://www.snellville.org/sites/default/files/uploads/administration/budget/fy2024-budget-final.pdf

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Peace Pole to be dedicated at The Grove at Towne Center

The Rotary Club of Gwinnett Sunrise will be having a Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony at 1 p.m., June 14, 2023 at The Grove at Towne Center, Snellville, GA.

The Pole is located at The Grove in between The Tomlin Apartments and the New Elizabeth H. Williams Public Library.  Parking is available in The Grove Parking Deck with entrances on North Road and Wisteria Drive.

The public is welcome to attend the ceremony.

Peace Poles are handcrafted monuments erected the world over as international symbols of peace. “May Peace Prevail on Earth” is the message written on it in four languages.

For more information regarding this event, contact Angela Wirt, 678.571.5878 or at angela.calaway.wirt@gmail.com

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Briscoe Park Pool closed this week

T.W, Briscoe Park Pool will be closed to the public the remainder of this week, following an incident of disruptive behavior by a few patrons over the weekend.

City officials will take the week to review protocol and safety procedures in an effort to provide and maintain a safe and family friendly environment at the pool.

Swim lessons and private events will still take place at the pool this week as scheduled.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

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North Road by The Grove at Towne Center opens to two-way traffic

SNELLVILLE – North Road, between Oak Road and Wisteria Drive will open to two-way traffic today.

Motorists on Oak Road will be able to make a right on North Road heading north for the first time since The Tomlin apartments at The Grove at Towne Center has been open to residents.

North Road at Oak Road is right in, right out only, meaning no left turns will be able to be made from North Road heading south.

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Nine years in a row: FY 2024 budget calls for no millage rate increase again

SNELLVILLE – Mayor and Council unveiled a proposed balanced budget of $15.53 million Monday, a plan city officials say will not include a millage increase.

The first of two public hearings was Monday. The next is at the June 12 meeting of Mayor and Council, where the budget will be adopted. The millage rate will be set by Mayor and Council in early July.

Fiscal Year ‘24 net spending is up by 4 percent or $634,019. The great majority of the increase is in salaries as the Mayor and Council have made a concerted effort to make salaries more competitive and improve the City’s employee retention rate.

Revenue is down in several categories as inflation has curtailed development. This budget has adjusted to that reality.

Other budget highlights include:

  • $800,000 is budgeted for the street resurfacing projects.
  • $950,800 for the city’s annual stormwater repair projects.
  • Sanitation and recycling services are subsidized with $1,189,528 in property tax collections.
  • The only planned capital expense is $150,000 for a new bucket truck the Public Works Department.

The Mayor and City Council will consider adoption of the FY ’24 budget at 7:30 p.m., June 12 in the Council Chambers of Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia.

The proposed budget can be viewed at: https://www.snellville.org/sites/default/files/uploads/administration/budget/fy24-budget-draft-.pdf

 

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Notice created to inform new Snellville citizens and property owners of home improvement ordinances

Mayor and Council has have approved and released a notice to new Snellville citizens and property owners to inform them of the city’s ordinances regarding making improvements to a residence.

Mayor and Council has approved and released a notice to new Snellville citizens and property owners, giving them a list of best practices when moving into a new residence.

“Welcome to Snellville, we are glad you have chosen to join us where, ‘Everybody is Proud to be Somebody,’” the notice reads. “As you purchase your new house, we wanted to provide you with some of the Ordinances and Laws that are most often asked about in the City of Snellville. This is by no means a complete or exhaustive list, just the most often asked. Should you have any questions about the use of or making any changes to your property, please do not hesitate to call our Planning and Development Department at 770-985-3500.”

The eight-point notice answers some of the most frequently asked questions city officials field when talking with new residents. TopiceTopics addressed in the notice range from on-street parking to permitting to livestock usage.

"Far too often our citizens learn of the laws regarding the use, maintenance, and modification of property by a knock on the door by our Code Enforcement officers,” said Mayor Pro Tem Tod Warner. “By including the most pertinent information in the property disclosure when a property is bought or sold, we hope to increase awareness before people invest their life savings only to find their dream runs afoul of the law. Our Citizens rely on us to maintain the stability of our residential neighborhoods to protect their quality of life."

The notice is as follows:

NOTICE TO NEW SNELLVILLE CITIZENS AND PROPERTY OWNERS

Welcome to Snellville, we are glad you have chosen to join us where, “Everybody is Proud to be Somebody.” As you purchase your new house, we wanted to provide you with some of the Ordinances and Laws that are most often asked about in the City of Snellville. This is by no means a complete or exhaustive list, just the most often asked. Should you have any questions about the use of or making any changes to your property, please do not hesitate to call our Planning and Development Department at 770-985-3500.

  1. The conversion of single-family homes to multifamily rental units is prohibited. Any alterations to existing homes to create more rooms or livable spaces is prohibited unless permitted with the Department of Planning and Development.
  2. All new construction must be permitted with the Department of Planning and Development, including but not limited to, roofed accessory structures, decks, pools, driveway additions, and any alteration of an existing structure.
  3. Collective residences, such as group homes, care homes, and other non-single family living arrangements require an approved Special Use Permit from the Department of Planning and Development.
  4. Please call the Snellville Public Works Department to set up your commercial or residential trash account.
  5. The keeping and raising of livestock is prohibited unless the property is greater than 5 acres. Please contact the Planning and Development for more information.
  6. Please be aware that small creeks, streams, ponds and lakes including dried up streambeds, may be classified as “State Waters” or otherwise have buffers that limit any kind of land disturbance. Please contact the Planning and Development Department prior to any disturbance closer than 200 feet from the water source.
  7. The parking of commercial vehicles, on the street or on a driveway in residential neighborhoods is prohibited.
  8. Vehicles must be parked on paved surfaces and any vehicles not enclosed in a garage must be operable and properly registered with the State and insured.

 

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Students shine in Shark Tank business competition

 

Shark Tank participants

Five young entrepreneurs got a financial boost start their own businesses Tuesday during the city’s annual Shark Tank competition.

A total of $2,000 was awarded to the students by judges representing the Snellville business community. The five students – four from Brookwood High School and one from Grayson High School – worked on their businesses all school year, culminating with a pitch for seed money at the competition mirroring the popular ABC television show “Shark Tank.”

Winner
Judges crowned Brookwood High School student Zaira Bhatti Entrepreneur of the Year and granted her $500 to be used to fund her social media consulting business MarketRight.

“The City of Snellville is committed to providing our young people the opportunity to grow their own businesses,” said Assistant City Manager Matt Pepper. “We want to bolster the future of these young entrepreneurs, and by supporting this program, the city is building relationships with students who happen to be starting their own business, hopefully with the intent of opening one in Snellville some day.”

Judges crowned Brookwood High School student Zaira Bhatti Entrepreneur of the Year and granted her $500 to be used to fund her social media consulting business MarketRight.

Addison Curtis of BHS was also awarded $500 to go toward her swim lesson business Dolphin Academy; Elizabeth Lachance of BHS was awarded $400 for her business Cursive Cake ‘n’ Bake; GHS student Ava Hosey received $350 for her business Desserts by Ava; and Madison Worsham of Brookwood High School was given $250 for her family photography business Capture Photography.

Judges who donated their time, expertise and money were: Tim Samuel and Dwayne Walker of Sparketh, Kelly McAloon of Snellville Tourism and Trade; Ashlie Franklin and Sara Hodge of Walton Gas; Renae Johnson of the Renae J Group; Kathy Emanuel of Random Technologies; Katisha Henry of the Wing Suite; and Jessie Mullins of Powell and Edwards, LLC.

This year’s Shark Tank was coordinated by Pepper, student education business owner Marianette ReFour and Public Information Officer Brian Arrington.

Shark Tank Judges

 

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