Council denies $1,600 request for garden-based education at Semoran Middle School

Council heard from staff (Tracy) that the Gwinnett County Soil and Water Conservation District requested $1,600 to provide garden‑based education at Semoran Middle School, one of the city's remaining community gardens. Tracy said leftover funds would support other educational outreach at the school.

Despite the staff presentation, a council member moved to deny the $1,600 request. "Basically, what water and the soil and water conservation is asking for is $1,600 to provide garden based education to students at Semoran Middle School," Tracy said during the presentation. Council members debated whether the city should use cash to fund such programs and ultimately approved the motion to deny by voice vote. The agenda contained an apparent transcription anomaly listing a larger figure; staff clarified the requested amount in the meeting.