Milton City Council unanimously approved the fiscal year 2027 budget on Monday, Sept. 21. The budget projects $64 million in citywide revenue, Appen Media reported.

The council also approved a $26.25 million purchase of 51 acres at Verizon Place. The same meeting drew pointed criticism from residents who accused Council Member Carol Cookerly of violating the city's ethics and decorum rules. Cookerly was absent.

Budget and land deal

The FY2027 general fund projects $50.2 million in revenue and $50.8 million in spending, a 5.3% decrease from 2026. The city expects to end the year with a $12.9 million general fund balance, meeting its reserves policy.

Council members also amended the current-year budget. Amended FY2026 revenues rose $75,886 to $49.9 million because of higher-than-expected electric franchise fees. Amended expenditures fell $378,133 to $53.6 million.

To cover Milton's $3.33 million share of the Joshua Chang wrongful-death settlement approved Aug. 24, the city cut its planned transfer to the capital projects fund by the same amount. The amended FY2026 general fund balance is $13.5 million, still above the city's 25% reserve threshold.

The proposed 2026 millage rate is 4.495 mills, down from 4.503 in 2025.

The Verizon Place purchase covers approximately 51.32 acres at One, Two and Three Verizon Place from Cellco Partnership and GTE Wireless LLC. Milton will pay a $100,000 deposit and begin due-diligence work on the site.

The acquisition is part of the city's Deerfield District strategy. Milton has already purchased 21.37 acres at 300 Deerfield Parkway for $8 million and 3.05 acres at 0 Deerfield Parkway for $750,000. City documents say the combined land creates "an uncommon opportunity to place recreation and resident-serving public space at the center of a coordinated district plan."

Residents criticize Cookerly

Three speakers used public comment to confront Cookerly's conduct at the Sept. 9 meeting. At that session, Appen Media reported, Cookerly responded from the dais to public comments by Lindsay DeFranco, a Democratic candidate for the District 47 Georgia House seat, who had criticized the city's Flock Safety camera program. Cookerly called DeFranco's remarks "quasi-facts, riddled with highly inaccurate information" and referred to "the lies at the podium," as The Roundabout reported Sept. 10.

Resident Laura Bentley told the council Sept. 21 that "when a council member uses their authority to respond with personal attacks and political remarks, decorum has been violated."

Resident Sarah Moen said she had raised the issue with Mayor Peyton Jamison. Moen said the mayor asked what outcome residents expected, and the answer was an apology. No apology had been made, Moen said.

DeFranco also spoke, saying Cookerly had spent several minutes attacking her credibility, motives and character from the dais.

In emailed comments to Appen Media on Tuesday, Sept. 22, Cookerly said she had "long-standing appointments" in Durham, North Carolina, and had notified the city clerk of her absence at the beginning of September. She defended her Sept. 9 remarks, saying council members have First Amendment rights and questioning why some are "so afraid of fact-based rebuttal."

The Roundabout, citing state campaign finance filings, reported that Cookerly donated $500 on April 23 to Jack Miller's campaign. Miller is DeFranco's Republican opponent in the November District 47 race.

Milton's decorum rule, Section 2-56 of the city code, states that personal remarks are inappropriate and may be ruled out of order. Enforcement falls to the mayor. No formal ethics complaint has been documented in available public records.

The council's next regular meeting is Monday, Oct. 5, when the millage rate vote is scheduled.