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Duluth council certifies 6.551 mill rate, funds Pine Needle connector design and approves multiple appointments
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Summary
At its March 9 meeting, the Duluth Mayor and Council certified an estimated roll-back millage rate of 6.551 mills, approved $300,000 for a program manager for the Pine Needle Pedestrian Connector, extended a parking IGA with Gwinnett County School District, confirmed multiple board appointments, and approved two Public Safety building budget amendments.
Mayor Greg Whitlock called the March 9, 2026, meeting of the Mayor and Council of the City of Duluth to order at 6:00 p.m.; the council approved the meeting agenda and prior minutes and then took a series of routine and project-specific actions.
The council certified an Estimated Roll-Back Rate of 6.551 mills for the Annual Notice to Taxpayers and authorized staff to send the required letter to the Gwinnett County Tax Assessor and Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner by the March 24, 2026 deadline. The certification was adopted as part of the consent agenda and passed 4-0, with Councilmember Cummings absent.
The council also approved a budget amendment to add $300,000 in 2017 SPLOST transportation funds to the Pine Needle Drive Improvements Roadways & Walkways professional services line. The funding will pay Keck & Wood to serve as Program Manager for the Pine Needle Pedestrian Connector Project, a step staff said is intended to lead to an eventual request for proposals, contract award and construction.
Council approved a package of appointments and reappointments across several city advisory boards and commissions on the consent agenda. Those actions included appointments and reappointments to the Alcohol Review Board, Ethics Board, Downtown Development Authority, Public Arts Commission, Employee Benefits/Audit Review Committee, Parks & Recreation Board, Parsons Alley Design Review Committee, Planning Commission, Urban Redevelopment Agency, Veteran's Marker Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
On new business, the council approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) extension with the Gwinnett County School District allowing the city to use Coleman Middle School parking areas outside school operating hours. The council endorsed the IGA extension and authorized the mayor or city manager to execute the agreement so the district may finalize it.
Department staff requested and the council approved two Public Safety building items. The council approved an amendment (BA-FY26-36) to add $73,368 from unallocated 2023 SPLOST Public Safety funds to pay Pond & Company to develop construction drawings for resurfacing the parking lot and repairing sidewalks around the Public Safety building. Separately, the council approved BA-FY26-35 to add $73,206 for replacement of the building's uninterruptible power supply (UPS); staff said Vertiv proposed to remove the existing UPS and install a new system for $73,205.13.
Procedurally, motions were moved and seconded by councilmembers as recorded in the meeting minutes. The consent agenda and subsequent motions carried unanimously among members present (Councilmembers Park, Thomas, Doss and Graeder), with Councilmember Cummings noted as absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of March 9, 2026 agenda: motion by Councilmember Doss; seconded by Councilmember Thomas; vote 4-0 (Cummings absent). - Approval of Feb. 9 and Feb. 23, 2026 minutes: motion by Councilmember Graeder; seconded by Councilmember Park; vote 4-0 (Cummings absent). - Consent agenda (certify 6.551 mills; BA-FY26-37 $300,000 for Pine Needle Program Manager; multiple appointments): motion by Councilmember Thomas; seconded by Councilmember Doss; vote 4-0 (Cummings absent). - IGA with Gwinnett County School District (Coleman Middle School parking): motion by Councilmember Thomas; seconded by Councilmember Park; vote 4-0 (Cummings absent). - BA-FY26-36 ($73,368 — Pond & Company, construction drawings for Public Safety lot/sidewalk): motion by Councilmember Graeder; seconded by Councilmember Doss; vote 4-0 (Cummings absent). - BA-FY26-35 ($73,206 — UPS replacement, Vertiv proposal $73,205.13): motion by Councilmember Doss; seconded by Councilmember Thomas; vote 4-0 (Cummings absent).
What happens next: Staff will send the certified roll-back rate notice to county tax officials, proceed with contracting steps to engage Keck & Wood for the Pine Needle connector design, and prepare RFPs or procurement actions tied to the approved Public Safety building drawings and equipment work. Several ordinances and appointments will be reflected in the city's adopted minutes and ordinance records.