Council pauses funding request for Leadership Johns Creek, asks staff and attorney to craft eligibility rubric

The council reviewed a draft partnership agreement with Leadership Johns Creek and Student Leadership Johns Creek and heard that the city historically provides $5,000 to the adult program and $2,500 to student programming. City Manager Kimberly described the organizations' programming and noted the leadership programs' historical contributions: “Historically, the city has contributed 5,000 to Leadership Johns Creek and in 2 prior years, 2,500 was contributed to Student Leadership Johns Creek,” she said.

City Attorney cautioned council about the Georgia gratuities clause, explaining that governmental gifts of taxpayer funds must provide a measurable governmental benefit or market‑value service to avoid legal exposure. The attorney summarized the risk plainly: “Whenever you are giving money, whenever the city gives money for anything, that is a gratuity,” and told the council it must be able to show market‑value benefit or an equivalent municipal need. Council members agreed it would be prudent to pause any approval of new funding until staff and the city attorney develop a rubric or criteria that ties city support to specific, demonstrable benefits to the municipality. Staff noted current sponsorships and private donors had covered near‑term needs, so there was no urgent funding deadline.

Next steps: staff and counsel will draft eligibility criteria and a partnership framework that documents measurable city benefits; the matter will return for council consideration after that review.