Local News
Austell gives money to families, churches, schools
By Carolyn Cunningham
Nov 21, 2016Many Austell families in need should have a merrier Christmas with the Austell City Council’s approval of $92,600.
The money comes from interest earned on the city’s $5 million Norfolk Southern railroad settlement when the Austell intermodal facility was constructed at U.S. 278 and 6000 Dr. Luke Glenn Garrett, Jr. Memorial Highway.
Expenditures will be:
- $1,000 each to 24 area churches.
- $3,000 each for six local schools to spend $300 each on 10 families chosen by school officials.
- $300 will go to each of seven families chosen by Council and to 10 families chosen by board members of the Austell Area Community Improvement Commission, or AACIC, which recommends to Council uses for the interest fund.
- $2,500 for the Garrett Middle School truancy program formed by Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins to help meet basic needs of students and their families to encourage these students to stay in school.
- $2,000 to Austell Elementary School for such costs as student lunches and field trips.
- $1,000 each to six local public schools to use at their discretion.
- $20,000 for Christmas bonuses to Austell employees.
- $3,000 for Humphries Hill Cemetery.
- $12,000 for Austell (Rosehill) Cemetery.
