Clarkston, GA — The Clarkston City Council approved the city’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget at its regular meeting on December 6.

Total budgeted expenditures for Clarkston’s FY 2023 are $12,079,688. Total expected revenues are $12,079,688. Both expenditure and revenue estimates equal a 9% decrease of $1,143,787 compared to the FY 2022 amounts of $13,223,475.

As 2017 SPLOST referendum projects are wrapped up, the reduction in the corresponding budgets for FY 2023 accounts for that 9% decrease. The proposed general fund operating budget is $7,328,408 which represents a $322,286 (4.6%) increase compared to the FY 2022 amount of $7,006,122.

The largest categories of general fund expenditures are public safety at 35.1%, public works at 17.9%, and administration at 16.2% of the total budget. Debt service costs account for 10.4% of the total FY 2023 expenditure budget.

Clarkston’s millage rate is 14.89.

In other news:

— During public comment, attorney David Jaffer spoke to the council representing a group of convenience store owners, asking that the council stay enforcement of an ordinance reducing operating hours of convenience stores until the city was able to examine the effects of enforcement.

The city council voted to approve an ordinance increasing the required annual inspection reports for multifamily rental dwellings from 20% to 50% of units annually.

Resident Brian Medford spoke in favor of the ordinance, saying that he felt it would curb exploitation of Clarkston apartment residents by real estate investment companies.

—  The council approved a resolution to adopt Dekalb County’s 2023 hazard mitigation plan.

— The council approved the reappointments of Herbert Clark and Charles McFarland to the Planning and Zoning Board.

— The council also voted to approve the regular meeting and work session dates and the city’s holiday calendar for next year.

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