Brookhaven City Council met Monday to approve the use of Special Project Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funding for Lavista Park and the Peachtree Creek Greenway. 

The city approved a contract with design firm Cooper Carry in the amount of $56,000 to create a master plan for a three-acre wooded park in the Lavista Park neighborhood. The area was annexed five years ago, after the Brookhaven parks master plan was drawn up. 

Lavista Park has a playground, walking trails, stone patio, picnic benches, and a weathered observation boardwalk. A master plan will address runoff and erosion, a blocked culvert, excessive sediment entering the creek, and general creek health. 

“I’m excited to be able to provide this master plan development for the Lavista Park area,” said Councilmember John Funny. 

The council also heard from Patty Hansen, director of Strategic Partnerships, about applying for funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to cover the remaining construction of Peachtree Creek Greenway phase II. In 2023, the council approved using SPLOST II funds for the 20% local match required for the $25 million project.  

“The match is for closing the gap on construction,” said Hansen. 

In other news, council members voted to extend an InterGovernmental Agreement (IGA) with DeKalb County for the ambulance support center at 3292 Buford Highway. The property was formerly a QT gas station and convenience store. 

City Manager Christian Sigman said the city entered into the IGA five years ago, followed by a contract with AMR ambulance company, DeKalb County’s emergency vehicle vendor. The council approved marrying the contracts to expire simultaneously on Dec. 31, 2024.  

In other news, the city is holding public meetings to review a tentative increase in millage rates at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, and at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road. 

According to the city, the tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 2.74 mills, an increase of 0.073 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $725,000 is approximately $20.07 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $1.45 million is approximately $36.50.