Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
Mayor Derek Easterling called the regular council meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. at the Council Chambers in Kennesaw, Georgia. The meeting included two first public hearings on the FY2026-2027 budgets, an alcohol license hearing for El Taco Azteca, a due cause hearing for Stop 2 Go Shell, and public comments. The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m., after a 17-minute executive session on personnel.
Good evening. Welcome to our regularly scheduled council meeting for Tuesday, eight September. Delighted that you're here. If you would please stand for the pledge and the invocation. Miss Carlene, would you mind? To order. If you're going to be presenting tonight, if you're testifying, or even if if you think you will, please stand to be sworn in by our city attorney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes. Anyone that will be making any kind of presentation or testimony in any of the hearings that are on the agenda this evening, please stand and raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm the testimony or presentation you'll be making before this council this evening will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? If so, say I do. Thank you. You may be seated. All right, thank you. First up is uh public comment. This section is for comment that's on any item that is on the agenda. And remember, if we have a public hearing, uh there's also be public comment for that public hearing. I have council blake copies of what I'm about to say that way. I hope I have picture for city manager. I may have one more PDF. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is David Blinkhorn, and I am a former Kennesaw City Council member and a longtime Kennesaw resident. Tonight I ask council to listen to State your state your address. My address is twenty-six forty-one Butler Bridge Way. Tonight I ask council to listen closely to the budget presentation for two issues I believe that have not been adequately adequately addressed. First is the city's reserve policy. On page six of the proposed 2027 budget, it states Kennesaw's unassigned, unassigned fund balance represents approximately 18 months of operating expenditures and describes it as a reserve for emergencies and economic downturns, but also one-time projects approved by mayor and council. On page 10, the city goes on to state we'll maintain 18 months of operating reserves, keeping us well above stability benchmarks noted in our adopted financial policy. What risk analysis supports those decisions? Second is how the proposed budget reflects council's priorities for our parks. Finally, council is not required to accept this budget exactly as it's presented. Section 4.03 of Kennesaw Charter allows the council to adopt the budget with modifications. It considers necessary or desirable. There's a council work session coming up on the 14th. Final adoption on the 21st. So if council's not satisfied with the answers tonight, there's time to direct changes, discuss them on the 14th, and consider a modified budget before the September 21st vote. I respectfully ask you to listen carefully. And if the answers do not justify the budget as presented, use your authority and the time available to require changes you believe are in Kennesaw's best interest. Thank you for your consideration and your service to the city. Anyone else for public comment? Hearing none and seeing none, the floor for public comment is closed. First up is uh item 10 A alpha. So first public hearing for the FY27 operating budget. Good evening. Tonight is our first public hearing for our 2027 proposed operating and capital budgets.