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Before the Vote
Monday's Council agenda, and how much the city showed you
Milton City Council meets Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Here is every item on the agenda, how it got there, and a Sunshine score for how much of it the city put in front of you.
New to Council meetings? Start with How Milton works.
Packet posted Thursday, Oct. 29, about 6:39 PM, four days before the meeting · 184 pages ·
Agenda ·
Full packet ·
Watch live
Storm warnings
When the city's own records conflict with its charter, its code or its own written policy, it goes here: the rule, the record, who signed off, and the city's answer. We found none on Monday's agenda.
Fiscal 2027 so far (since Oct. 1), 2 meetings tracked
0storms on Council agendas
5approvals sought after the fact
4.3Sunshine score, Nov. 2
Still open from fiscal 2026: police camera records
Camera records kept 365 days; the department's July 2025 policy says 30Milton Police policy 500-016 (July 24, 2025)
The rule
The policy says the record of your car passing a Milton camera is deleted after 30 days.
The record
Milton's Flock page shows 365 days; the 2022 contract Council approved said 30. We found no Council vote on a year in the agendas and minutes posted since 2021. The department points to a one-line budget-book entry on extending retention, which gives no number of days. Flock's own written policy has required an elected official's or governing body's approval for keeping data that long since at least April 2025, six months before Milton's change. Our copy of the policy came from the attorney for Randy Dula, a former Milton officer, and the city hasn't confirmed it.
Who signed off
Police Chief Jason Griffin and City Manager Steven Krokoff approved the 365-day setting, the department says.
The city's answer
Sept. 18, the department: the year began in October 2025 as part of an upgrade “authorized by the Chief and the City Manager,” and it “appears in our published budget book.” The period “was selected based on investigative experience,” because “relevant vehicle information may not emerge within seven or 30 days,” particularly while investigators wait on cell-phone records. The city “will seek further guidance.”
Status
Open. The policy's approval records were requested Oct. 15 (PRR-563, due Oct. 20). Our story
For anyone at the podium, and for the seven people at the dais.
The Tri Scapes contract sets Oct. 1 as the start of its term, and Council votes Nov. 2. What agreement has covered park maintenance since Oct. 1?
Who were the other three companies that bid on the parks contract, and how were the four scored?
Do the parks contract's emergency hours and outside goods count toward its $691,000 and $80,000 limits?
The ProLogic-to-LEHR handover is dated July 10. Has LEHR done or billed city work since then?
The Bethany Bend plat in the packet leaves the director's certification line blank. Has it been certified?
The meeting's Sunshine score
4.3 of 5
Average of 8 scored items
Ordinances, resolutions and hearings 4.9
Contracts on the consent agenda 2.8
4 of the 8 scored items earned a perfect 5. The clouds are on the consent agenda again: the parks contract and the police-car outfitting handover are both set to start before Council votes, Oct. 1 and July 10. The parks contract scores 2½: the contract is in the packet this time, though without its scope of work, and it shows a start date before the vote.
Correction: Our Oct. 19 Before the Vote, and our Oct. 18 issue, gave the Tri Scapes parks contract a sun for being approved before it takes effect, for a score of 2 of 5. The contract, now in the Nov. 2 packet, says its term begins Oct. 1, 2026, before that meeting. That test is a cloud: the item scored 1 of 5, and the Oct. 19 meeting average was 3.9, not 4.0.
How to speak Monday
General public comment is item 5, near the start of the meeting, before the consent agenda.
Fill out a public comment card and give it to the city clerk before your item is called. Once the clerk calls it, no more cards. Turning it in before the meeting starts is safest.
Five minutes, once. General comment covers consent items and first readings too, including any contract on the consent agenda. Public hearings and new business: five minutes each.
Final votes on unfinished business (the plumbing water-efficiency rules and the car wash water rules): each side gets at least ten minutes.
Can't stay? Written comments are read only if you're there. For emails marked for the record (300 words or fewer), the clerk reads your name, address and position, and the full text only if you attend or show you can't.
Speaking for a group takes a notarized affidavit first.
Shown Partly shown Not shown Record conflicts with a written ruleHow the score works
A cloud is not a finding that the city broke the Sunshine Laws or any other law. It marks what the packet didn't show.
6BNo. 26-336Consent agendaPresented by Jason Griffin, Police Chief
Police car outfitting: ProLogic's contracts handed to LEHR Upfitters, effective July 10
Finance: Bernadette Harvill (Oct. 21)Legal: Jennifer McCall, Jarrard & Davis (Sept. 28)City Manager: Steven Krokoff
3 of 5
On consent
Starts before the vote
ProLogic ITS, which installs lights, sirens and graphics on police and city vehicles, sold that business to LEHR Upfitters Southeast, the memo says.
LEHR agrees to honor all existing pricing, discounts, rates, and terms until a new agreement is signed, the agreement says.
The agreement dates the handover to July 10, 2026. ProLogic and LEHR signed it July 28, and the city attorney's firm approved it as to form Oct. 19. The city's signature lines are blank, as they would be before a vote.
The two contracts being handed over, numbered #26-PD01 and #26-PD02, are not in the packet.
“Recently, ProLogic has completed the sale of its Government Fleet Upfitting Division to LEHR.”
The agreement lets LEHR work as ProLogic's subcontractor until the city consents, and makes the handover effective July 10. Has LEHR done or billed city work since then, and under which company's name?
What are the two contracts being handed over (#26-PD01 and #26-PD02) worth?
See the record
The five tests
Before, not after Not shown
The agreement makes the handover effective “July 10th, 2026 … or such other date as mutually agreed in writing by the parties,” nearly four months before Council's consent. packet p. 7
Seen before the vote Partly shown
The handover is new on Monday's consent agenda. Two ProLogic services agreements, for emergency equipment and for vehicle decals, were on the Jan. 5 consent agenda.
The real document Shown
The assignment agreement is in the packet, signed by both companies and approved as to form. The city's lines are blank, as they would be before a vote. packet p. 8
The whole price Partly shown
“There is no anticipated financial impact,” the memo says, because LEHR keeps the existing prices. It doesn't say what the two contracts being handed over are worth. packet p. 4
How and why Shown
Why: ProLogic sold the business. The memo names the alternative, putting the work out to bid again. packet p. 5
How it got here
Jan. 5, regular meeting Consent agenda: Approval of a Services Agreement with ProLogics ITS, LLC to Install Emergency Equipment in City of Milton Emergency Vehicles (No. 26-005).
Jan. 5, regular meeting Consent agenda: Approval of a Services Agreement with ProLogics ITS, LLC to Install Vehicle Decals on City Fleet Vehicles (No. 26-010).
July 10 The handover's effective date, per the agreement.
July 28 ProLogic and LEHR sign the agreement.
Oct. 19 The city attorney's firm approves it as to form.
Nov. 2 Consent agenda, Monday's meeting.
Money trail
The city has paid ProLogic ITS $223,612 since October 2020, across 84 checkbook lines.
FY21$8,726
FY22$28,356
FY23$2,743
FY24$101,604
FY25$54,953
FY26$27,231
City fiscal years run October to September. FY26 runs through June 25, the latest entry in our copy of the city's checkbook. All payments to this vendor, not only this contract.
Official title: Approval of Consent to Assignment of Agreement from ProLogic ITS, to LEHR Upfitters Southeast, LLC.
6CNo. 26-337Consent agendaPresented by Tom McKlveen, Parks and Recreation Director
Parks maintenance: Tri Scapes, $691,000 a year, back with the contract but not its scope of work
Finance: Bernadette Harvill (Sept. 29)Legal: Jennifer McCall, Jarrard & Davis (Sept. 14)City Manager: Steven Krokoff (Oct. 13)
2½ of 5
On consent
$691,000 a year
Starts before the vote
Auto-renews
Tri Scapes offered $777,737.46 a year. The negotiated base is $691,000, for seven full-time workers; the request for proposals called for eight.
Up to $80,000 a year more for extra work orders, plus emergency hours at set rates and outside goods at cost plus a fee of up to 10 percent. The contract pages in the packet don't say whether emergency hours or those goods count toward either limit.
The scope of work, which the contract attaches as Exhibit A to define the job, is not in the packet; the packet's Exhibit A begins on page 33 of the city's request for proposals.
One year from Oct. 1, 2026, renewing automatically each fall through Sept. 30, 2031. From the second year the base rises with inflation (the Consumer Price Index).
Four proposals came in (RFP 26-PR03); the highest-rated firm was invited to interviews, the memo says.
Tri Scapes signed, and Jennifer McCall of the city attorney's firm approved it as to form Sept. 28. The City Manager's and mayor's lines are blank, as they would be before a vote.
“Tri Scapes demonstrated significant municipal parks maintenance experience, familiarity with the City's park system”
The contract sets Oct. 1 as the start of its term, and Council votes Nov. 2. What agreement has covered park maintenance since Oct. 1?
Where is the scope of work the contract attaches as Exhibit A?
Who were the other three bidders, and how did they score?
Do emergency hours and outside goods count toward the $691,000 or $80,000 limits?
See the record
The five tests
Before, not after Not shown
The contract says its term “shall commence on October 1, 2026.” Council votes Nov. 2. packet p. 14
Seen before the vote Shown
On the Oct. 19 consent agenda, then moved to Nov. 2 at the start of that meeting because the contract had been left out of the packet.
The real document Partly shown
The contract and Tri Scapes' price offer are in the packet, signed by Tri Scapes and approved as to form. The scope of work it attaches as Exhibit A is not: the packet's Exhibit A begins on page 33 of the city's request for proposals. packet p. 35
The whole price Partly shown
Year one is capped at $691,000 for the basic work and $80,000 for extra work orders, and the term and renewals are stated. Emergency hours and outside goods have set rates or markups, but the contract pages in the packet don't say whether they count toward those limits, and the base rises with inflation from year two. packet p. 16
How and why Partly shown
Four proposals and interviews with the top-rated firm, the memo says, but the packet doesn't name the other bidders or show the scores. packet p. 9
How it got here
March 16 On the consent agenda: Change Order #5 to Tri Scapes' current Facilities, Trails and Parks Maintenance Agreement, adding a dedicated passive parks crew (No. 26-079).
July 9 The city issues RFP 26-PR03; proposals due July 30.
Sept. 28 The city attorney's firm approves the contract as to form.
Oct. 1 The start date the contract sets for its term.
Oct. 5 The staff memo was headed for this meeting, though the item wasn't on that agenda. The city changed the date to Nov. 2 in the packet it reposted Oct. 30.
Oct. 19 Moved to Nov. 2 at the start of the meeting; the contract had been left out of the packet.
Nov. 2 Consent agenda, Monday's meeting.
Money trail
The city has paid Tri Scapes (Inc. and LLC) $12.58 million since October 2020, across 1,728 checkbook lines.
FY21$1,075,531
FY22$2,594,148
FY23$1,323,078
FY24$1,304,765
FY25$4,755,258
FY26$1,531,666
City fiscal years run October to September. FY26 runs through June 25, the latest entry in our copy of the city's checkbook. All payments to this vendor, not only this contract.
Official title: Approval of a Parks Maintenance Services Agreement Between the City of Milton and Tri Scapes, LLC for Dedicated Staffing and Maintenance of City Parks, Athletic Facilities, Trails, and Greenspaces.
6ENo. 26-339Consent agendaPresented by Sara Leaders, Community Development and Public Works Director
A lot split at 2395 Bethany Bend: one 2-acre parcel into two lots
Finance: N/ALegal: N/ACity Manager: Steven Krokoff
4 of 5
On consent
Divides 2.012 acres into two parcels of 1.006 acres each.
Staff found the plat complies with the code, and found no record that the parcels were created through an earlier minor plat.
The plat in the packet leaves the Community Development Director's certification line blank.
“Staff has reviewed the proposed minor plat and determined that it complies with the Unified Development Code, including all applicable subdivision and zoning requirements.”
Official title: Approval of Subdivision Plats & Revisions.
8ANo. 26-343First readingPresented by Sara Leaders, Community Development and Public Works Director
Lot rules, part two: a coverage credit for conservation easements, construction and pool setbacks
Legal: Paul Frickey, Jarrard & Davis (Oct. 14)City Manager: Steven Krokoff
5 of 5
First reading
Lets eligible lots go from 20 to 25 percent lot coverage in exchange for a conservation easement on at least 10 percent of the lot.
Sets a 20-foot temporary construction setback along the edges of new subdivisions and minor plats.
Raises pool setbacks from 10 to 20 feet on lots of an acre or more in the Rural Milton Overlay.
Sets one minimum buildable area, 10,890 square feet, for every AG-1 lot.
The Planning Commission recommended it unanimously Oct. 14.
“RZ26-05 addresses components of the City’s review of lot development standards, including portions of RZ26-03 deferred when the City Council approved the initial amendments on April 13, 2026.”
Official title: Consideration of an Ordinance RZ26-05 to Amend Article 2, General Provisions; Article 3, Agricultural Districts; Article 6, Special Purpose Districts; Article 8, Use Provisions; and Article 13, Definitions of the Unified Development Code.
8BNo. 26-344First readingPresented by Sara Leaders, Community Development and Public Works Director
An event space for up to 90 people at 631 North Main Street
Legal: Paul Frickey, Jarrard & Davis (Oct. 23)City Manager: Steven Krokoff
5 of 5
First reading
Corporate meetings, banquets, community gatherings and private events in a 1,625-square-foot second-floor suite.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The applicant's letter asked for 95 people; the request as advertised, and staff's condition, is 90.
The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously Oct. 14.
“Staff finds the proposed indoor event facility consistent with the property’s T5 designation and compatible with the surrounding mix of commercial, office, service, and residential uses.”
Approved before the space opens; it still needs an updated certificate of occupancy. packet p. 144
Seen before the vote Shown
A community meeting Aug. 25, a Design Review Board look Sept. 1, the applicant's meeting Sept. 17 and a Planning Commission hearing Oct. 14, all before this first reading. packet p. 145
The real document Shown
The ordinance and its conditions are in the packet. packet p. 161
The whole price Shown
No cost to the city; the business would pay the usual occupational tax and license fees. packet p. 144
How and why Shown
Staff's analysis covers fit with the area, parking and hours. packet p. 145
How it got here
Oct. 14 The Planning Commission recommends approval unanimously.
Official title: Consideration of a Use Permit Request U26-01 by Ragin & Associates, Juan Ragin, for an Event Facility at 631 North Main Street, Suite 207, Zoned T5 within the Deerfield Form Based Code, Pursuant to Section 8.5.6.B of the Unified Development Code, within an Existing 1,625-Square-Foot Tenant Space for a Maximum of 90 Attendees.
11ANo. 26-326Final votePresented by Sara Leaders, Community Development and Public Works Director
Water-efficiency rules added to the plumbing code, as the regional water plan requires
Legal: Paul Frickey, Jarrard & Davis (Oct. 8)City Manager: Steven Krokoff
5 of 5
Final vote
Adopts the Metro Water District's water-efficiency amendments to the state plumbing code.
Georgia's Environmental Protection Division flagged the gap in the city's 2026 Metro Water District audit.
First reading Oct. 19. The memo calls it “not a discretionary policy decision.”
“During the City's 2026 Metro Water District audit, Georgia Environmental Protection Division identified that Milton had not yet adopted the required amendments, resulting in an outstanding compliance item.”
Adopted before it applies. Nothing ratified after the fact. packet p. 169
Seen before the vote Shown
Read Oct. 19, final vote Monday: two public meetings.
The real document Shown
The ordinance and its text (Exhibit A) are in the packet. packet p. 170
The whole price Shown
“There is no direct financial impact to the City,” the memo says. packet p. 168
How and why Shown
Why: the Metro Water District requires it, and the state's environmental agency flagged the gap in a 2026 audit. packet p. 167
How it got here
July 6, regular meeting Consent agenda: Approval of a Resolution to Adopt Findings and Authorize Submission of Proposed Plumbing Code Amendment to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (No. 26-185).
Oct. 19, regular meeting First presentation: Consideration of an Ordinance to Amend Section 10-22 (State Minimum Standards Adopted) of Chapter 10 (Building Regulations) of the Milton Code (No. 26-326).
Official title: Consideration of an Ordinance to Amend Section 10-22 (State Minimum Standards Adopted) of Chapter 10 (Building Regulations) of the Milton Code.
11BNo. 26-327Final votePresented by Sara Leaders, Community Development and Public Works Director
Car washes built since 2011 must recycle at least half their water
Legal: Paul Frickey, Jarrard & Davis (Oct. 8)City Manager: Steven Krokoff
5 of 5
Final vote
Sets a 50% minimum recycling rate for in-bay automatic and conveyor car washes permitted and built after Jan. 1, 2011; self-service washes are exempt.
A June 10, 2026 audit letter from Georgia's Environmental Protection Division found Milton's rule named no minimum.
First reading Oct. 19.
“EPD’s June 10, 2026 audit letter identified that Milton’s existing car wash ordinance requires recycled water systems but does not specify the required minimum recycling rate of 50%.”
Official title: Consideration of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 58, Article IV, Car Wash Water Recycling.
12ANo. 26-345New businessPresented by Tammy Lowit, City Clerk
Council's 2027 meeting calendar, with January's meeting moved to Jan. 25
Legal: Jennifer McCall, Jarrard & DavisCity Manager: Steven Krokoff
4½ of 5
Regular meetings on the first and third Mondays, moved to the following Wednesday after a Monday holiday.
January's meeting moves to Monday, Jan. 25, 2027, because the State of the City is on the usual makeup date, Wednesday, Jan. 20.
“However, due to the City’s scheduled State of the City address on that date, staff recommend moving the January regular meeting to Monday, January 25, 2027.”
Official title: Consideration of a Resolution Adopting the 2027 City of Milton City Council Regular Meeting and Work Session Schedule.
Also on the agenda, not scored
6A Minutes of the Oct. 19 meeting (not in the packet) No. 26-335
6D Financial statements and investment report through Aug. 31 No. 26-338
7A Veterans Day proclamation No. 26-340
7B Georgia Retired Educators Day proclamation No. 26-341
7C Hopewell Road traffic calming: staff's plan for raised medians and a flashing crosswalk beacon, estimated at $125,000 to $200,000 (presentation; staff ask Council to authorize construction plans) No. 26-342
15 Executive session, listed “if needed” for land acquisition, personnel and litigation
How the Sunshine score works
Named for Georgia's Sunshine Laws. A cloud is not a finding that the city broke the Sunshine Laws or any other law. It marks what the packet didn't show. Every scored item gets five tests, and every mark comes from the city's own records:
Before, not after. Approved before the money or the rule takes effect. Ratifications and retroactive approvals get a cloud.
Seen before the vote. At an earlier public meeting, a first reading or a published notice. A consent item, passed in one motion with no earlier appearance, gets a cloud.
The real document. The contract, ordinance or resolution itself is in the packet, not just a staff memo.
The whole price. Enough to add it up: the amount, the term, renewals and extras.
How and why. How it was bought (who bid, the scores) or why it's needed.
Storm warnings. A storm means the city's own record conflicts with a written rule: the charter, the city code, state law or the city's own policy. Each one quotes the rule, shows the record, names who signed off and gives the city's answer. A rule question is a gap we've spotted and not yet put to the city; if the answer doesn't hold up, it becomes a storm. Fiscal years run October to September.
Why ratifications come to Council at all. Milton's charter (Sec. 6.30) says no contract binds the city unless Council authorizes it. Council may let the City Manager sign contracts up to $50,000, for no more than one fiscal year, “upon the requirement that such contracts be subsequently ratified by council.” So he can sign first, and Council must ratify after. Most of the time Milton does it the other way around: small contracts come to Council before anyone signs. The $50,000 lines apply to each purchase or contract, and a change order counts toward its procurement's total (Sec. 2-626(m)), so we add every change order to the original.
We watch for one big purchase split into smaller ones to stay under $50,000, where bids and a Council vote kick in. That's why we total what each company is paid each year. A big total alone doesn't mean it happened.
A sun means the city showed it, a half sun means it showed part, and a cloud means it didn't. The score grades openness, not the deal: the police-car outfitting handover scores 3 even though it changes no prices. If the city posts more, the score changes. Minutes, financial reports and proclamations aren't scored.
Sources: the 184-page packet (page numbers are PDF pages), the city's meeting page,
every 2026 Council agenda, and the city's checkbook (October 2020 to June 25). See something wrong? tips@readroundabout.com.
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