Civic Governance
A Sustainable Brookhaven prioritizes civic engagement, ethical standards, social equity, inclusiveness, and proactive community leadership development.
2024 COMMITMENTS
INCREASE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF ETHICS REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Funding Amount: TBD
Responsible Department: City Attorney & City Clerk
In addition to the Ethics Ordinance adopted in the Code of the City of Brookhaven, the City became a City of Ethics in 2013 and in 2018 became recertified as a Certified City of Ethics under the Georgia Municipal Association program. In 2024, the City Attorney and City Clerk will develop an annual acknowledgment of the City’s ethics requirements and policies for all elected and appointed officials through the boards and commissions software.
CONTINUE CONSTRUCTION OF CITY HALL
Prior Funding Amount: $78,000,000
Responsible Department: City Manager
Brookhaven City Centre will serve as the anchor of the City and will include a state-of-the-art City Hall which will reside on an approximately one-acre site. The 58,250 square foot building will be the project’s centerpiece with extensive space for public meetings, gatherings, and special events. The City Hall building will include a catering kitchen and rooftop terrace. The City Hall project, which is expected to be completed by mid-2025, is funded via Brookhaven’s Special Service District.
CITY COUNCIL TRANSITION
Funding Amount: TBD
Responsible Department: City Manager, City Clerk, & City Attorney
In 2023, the seats for Mayor, District 1, and District 3 were open for election. Additionally, with the resignation of the district representative to run for Mayor, the District 2 seat was also open. With such significant changes to the elected body, the responsible departments will work to ensure a smooth transition when the new members are sworn in in January 2024.
CONTINUE EFFORTS TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Funding Amount: Included in Department Operations
Responsible Department: Communications
Since incorporation in 2012, the City has planned, financed, and implemented major investments in the City’s streets, stormwater system, parks, and other facilities. Additionally, the City has developed twelve master plans and included in the annual budget process steady progress on these plans based on available funding. Communicating project schedules and changes has been less than the community demands, especially with the opening of the new Public Safety Building on the Peachtree Creek Greenway and the pending City Hall currently under construction. To ensure communications that meet the community’s expectations, the 2024 Adopted Budget includes funding for a Social Media Coordinator and an Administrative Assistant within the Communications Department to bolster the City’s communication content, reach, and timeliness. Also included is $50,000 in professional services for communication collateral material, advertising, and communications consulting.
DEVELOP A NEW RESIDENT AND BUSINESS GUIDES
Funding Amount: TBD
Responsible Department: Communications & Explore Brookhaven
In line with the City’s knowledge management efforts, this initiative is intended to quickly give new Brookhaven residents accurate and comprehensive information that will provide them with situational awareness. Information about pertinent ordinances, whom to connect with regarding different topics, opportunities for engagement with boards, commissions, and local groups, as well as direction on how to sign up for notifications from a variety of City-sponsored platforms or participate in public meetings are examples of key resources that would provide newcomers to the City with everything they need to know when settling in. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of this effort was put on hold; however, it is anticipated that the initiative will be established fully in 2024.
ADOPTION OF NEW VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS
Funding Amount: Included in Project Budget
Responsible Department: City Council
The SJREC recommended that the City “Utilize an open and transparent process that intentionally engages a diverse representation of community stakeholders to rewrite the City of Brookhaven's mission and vision statements. Include City staff, residents, business owners, students, and nonprofits.” This review was included as part of the 10-year Comprehensive Plan Update, which was kicked off in 203. In 2024, the Community Development Department and the consultant team will work with the community to develop new vision and mission statements to present to City Council for adoption.
CONTINUE SOCIAL JUSTICE, RACE, and EQUITY COMMISSION (SJREC) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN EFFORTS
Funding Amount: $50,000
Responsible Department: City Council and City Manager
The SJREC was created in 2020 to review the City’s Vision and Mission Statement and Charter, procurement and hiring practices and policies, public engagement and communication outreach, and the Brookhaven Police Department’s use of force policy, oversight, and accountability. The SJREC’s four subcommittees – Vision and Mission, Hiring and Retention, Procurement and Contracting, Policing Use of Force – took a deep dive into these areas in 2021. The Commission presented its recommendations in December 2021 for City Council consideration and the Administration presented an implementation plan in April 2022. In 2024, staff will continue to carry out the initiatives identified in the plan and also present the first Community Engagement Annual Report beginning in January. Additionally, the City will look to continue its partnership with Out of Hand Theater to present the Equitable Dinners Program to the community at large. The event will feature the performance of an original 10-minute play designed to illuminate equity issues, engage empathy, and launch conversation.
CONTINUE GENERAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY COURSE
Funding Amount: $20,000
Responsible Department: City Council
In an effort to foster connections among citizens and future leaders of Brookhaven, the City partnered with the cities of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs to establish a leadership development program for select individuals interested in participating. Leadership Perimeter candidates, were chosen through an application process, attended sessions designed to enhance their understanding of the various economic, social, and political factors affecting the community and prepare them for the issues that future leaders will face. With an emphasis on strength in diversity, the course was designed to build the ties between members of all sectors and deepen the relationships and insights across the community. This effort will continue annually.
REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION & REGULAR MEETING AGENDA FORMAT, CALENDAR, & TECHNOLOGY
Funding Amount: TBD
Responsible Department: City Council, City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney
In preparation of relocating to the new City Hall in 2025, the City needs to consider chamber layout, agenda format, and general flow and operations as it relates to City Council meetings. In 2024, the responsible departments will review the work session and regular meeting agenda format, annual calendar, and innovative technology to ensure public meetings are run efficiently and effectively.
