🌱 Smyrna FY 2024 Budget + Cobb Co. Electoral Map Lawsuit Postponed

Hi there, Smyrna-Vinings! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Not as warm; a p.m. t-shower. High: 69 Low: 58.

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Here are the top three stories in Smyrna-Vinings today:

1. Smyrna City Council held a public hearing on Monday to discuss the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget, which shows a 20.5 percent decrease from the previous year, amounting to $100,247,367. Notable additions in the budget include a $100,000 increase in health insurance, $200,000 for a city branding update, and approximately $30,000 allocated for a new event series called "Music in the Park" at Riverview Park. The budget adjustments will be further deliberated during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, Jun. 1; the final vote is scheduled for the council meeting on Monday, Jun. 5, at the community center. (Cobb County Courier)
2. The first hearing in the lawsuit regarding Cobb County's electoral map has been delayed, with the original May 23 date now rescheduled for Jul. 7. The lawsuit, filed by Cobb County commissioner Keli Gambrill, challenges the legality of the board's Democratic majority amending its own district electoral map. In response to the county's motion to dismiss the case due to Gambrill not residing in the disputed district, she has requested the inclusion of additional plaintiffs. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
3. On Tuesday, a Cobb County judge ordered the United Methodist Church to allow 185 Georgia churches, including nine in Cobb, to vote on their potential disaffiliation. The decision followed a court battle between the churches and the governing body, the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, which had paused the process for local churches to leave. The lawsuit arose from a division within the United Methodist Church regarding LGBTQ issues, such as same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ individuals; several churches were seeking disaffiliation while retaining their assets based on their disagreement with the governing body's stance. (Subscription: MDJOnline.com)

Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

• Latte Vs. Cappuccino Demo At Rev Coffee (7:00 PM)
• ATL Whiskey And Cigar Experience At CBD American Shama Vinings (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Cobb County can expect scattered showers and storms today (Thursday, May 18) through early next week. According to the National Weather Service, "isolated severe storms will be possible, but widespread severe weather is not expected at this time." (Cobb County Courier)
• Cobb County Courier has announced its Cat of the Day from the Cobb Animal Shelter. The presently-unnamed, female tabby has a striking pattern and captivating eyes. (Cobb County Courier)
• Calling all bookworms: Smyrna Library has just released some new books! You can find your next read here(Friends of Smyrna Library via Facebook)

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• Maya Eventov Artist Show : Textures of Nature (May 20)
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That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.