Local Government

Red-brick neoclassical government building with white columns and a green lawn.

Local Government

Alpharetta council holds public planning retreat Oct. 15-16

Alpharetta's mayor and city council will hold a two-day public strategic planning retreat Oct. 15-16 at Smokejack on South Main Street, reviewing city goals and priorities with no formal votes scheduled.

October 9, 2026 · 1 min read

Traffic signal and pedestrian countdown signal on a pole at a busy intersection.

Local Government

Milton adds pedestrian head start at Webb and Cogburn intersection

Milton activated a seven-second pedestrian head start and a no-right-turn-on-red rule during school hours at the Webb and Cogburn roads intersection on Sept. 28, aiming to protect walkers near three Cogburn Road schools.

October 8, 2026 · 2 min read

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Local Government

Milton defers millage vote, approves $340K bridge fix

The Milton City Council on Oct. 5 delayed its 2026 millage rate vote until Oct. 19 after a typo in required advertising, and approved $340,000 in repairs to the Thompson Road bridge to restore school bus access blocked since February.

October 8, 2026 · 2 min read

A dirt hiking trail curves through a sunlit green forest.

Local Government

Milton council permanently protects 185 acres at Birmingham Park

Milton City Council voted unanimously to place 185 acres of Birmingham Park under a permanent conservation easement with the Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, barring future development while allowing trails and low-impact recreation.

October 7, 2026 · 2 min read

Two-story red brick city hall building with metal roof and landscaped entrance walkway on a sunny day.

Local Government

Milton Development Authority elects first officers Wednesday

Milton's Deerfield-focused Development Authority holds its second meeting Wednesday, Oct. 7, to elect its first officers, review bylaws and set a future meeting schedule as the newly activated body begins guiding the reinvention of the Deerfield corridor.

October 7, 2026 · 2 min read

Red-brick neoclassical city hall with white columns, a domed cupola, and a stop sign in the foreground.

Local Government

Alpharetta commission hears data center, restaurant proposals

Alpharetta's Planning Commission considers a Georgia Power substation and expansion at the Royal 400 Data Center on North Point Parkway, plus a freestanding restaurant on Windward Parkway, at its Thursday, Oct. 1 hearing.

October 2, 2026 · 2 min read

An official election ballot drop box mounted on a post outside a building.

Local Government

Oct. 5 voter registration deadline: Alpharetta, Milton residents face TSPLOST, ESPLOST votes Nov. 3

Alpharetta and Milton residents have until Monday, Oct. 5, to register to vote ahead of the Nov. 3 election, which includes two Fulton County sales-tax referenda — a 1% education tax and a 0.75% transportation tax projected to send more than $115 million to the two cities for roads and infrastructure.

September 30, 2026 · 2 min read

Rows of server racks in glass-fronted cabinets inside a data center aisle.

Local Government

Data centers divide Georgia governor's race; Alpharetta, Milton voters face statewide-vs.-local choice

Georgia's governor's race has split over data center regulation, with Keisha Lance Bottoms calling for a statewide construction pause and Rick Jackson backing local control — a debate with direct implications for Alpharetta and Milton, where data centers already operate and Milton has enacted a moratorium.

September 29, 2026 · 3 min read

Colorful trash and recycling bins lined up along a quiet suburban street.

Local Government

Milton sustainability committee reviews draft plan that could reshape trash collection

Milton's Sustainability Advisory Committee is reviewing a draft 10-year solid waste plan that could eventually replace the city's eight-hauler choice system with centralized collection, though any changes would require separate City Council action.

September 28, 2026 · 2 min read

Small model house and calculator next to a document on a wooden desk.

Local Government

Fulton County proposes tax hike, sets Sept. 30 hearings

Fulton County plans to raise its General Fund property tax rate 0.54% above the rollback rate, triggering three mandatory public hearings starting Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Atlanta, with virtual options available.

September 24, 2026 · 2 min read

Two-story red brick city hall building with metal roof and landscaped front walkway.

Local Government

Milton council passes $64M budget, approves $26.25M land deal

Milton City Council unanimously approved a FY2027 budget projecting $64 million in citywide revenue and a $26.25 million purchase of 51 acres at Verizon Place on Sept. 21, while residents accused absent Council Member Carol Cookerly of ethics and decorum violations over her Sept. 9 remarks targeting a state House candidate.

September 23, 2026 · 3 min read

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Local Government

Consortium will run GA-400 toll lanes for 55 years under deal reshaping Alpharetta, Milton commutes

Georgia officials defended the public-private partnership behind the GA-400 express lanes, the 16-mile toll-lane expansion now under construction through Alpharetta and Milton, while a policy critic warns a $3.8 billion concession fee will drive up tolls for commuters.

September 22, 2026 · 2 min read