BY VEENA RAO
Atlanta, GA, October 24, 2025: With early voting underway, Johns Creek Mayor Pro Tem Dilip Tunki, who is seeking re-election to City Council Post 1, sat down with NRI Pulse for an in-depth conversation responding to points raised by his challenger Anita Gupta. In this wide-ranging Q&A, Tunki discusses Johns Creek’s record on public safety, finances, development, and community representation—defending his leadership over the past four years and outlining his vision for the city’s future.
Ms. Gupta says her campaign is based on facts, not negativity. How do you respond?
It’s not about negativity—it’s about misinformation. When Johns Creek has been ranked among the safest cities in the nation, questioning public safety without context undermines our police and fire departments. We have been recognized as one of the safest and best cities to live in. If someone wants to question that, they should back it up with data.
The same goes for finances. We’ve been transparent with our budget. Johns Creek is in a strong financial position—AAA+ rated, with one of the highest net positions among cities of our size. Our per-capita financial strength—about $5,500 per resident—speaks volumes. By the end of our current projects, our assets will total close to half a billion dollars.
When people say “public safety isn’t funded,” they should look at the numbers. Every department’s requests have been met. For instance, we have 1.04 police officers per 1,000 residents—below the national average, yes, but our crime rate is just 7.7 incidents per thousand residents, one-third the national average and half that of neighboring cities. You can’t cherry-pick one metric; you must look at the full picture.
Ms. Gupta says Johns Creek’s current success is due to the groundwork laid by previous councils and that the current one risks becoming complacent.
It’s easy to make that statement, but if you look at what’s been accomplished in the last four years—the Town Center project, the Boardwalk, the Medley, and Boston Scientific’s move here—these all happened under this council. Prior councils laid some groundwork, but these projects came to life during our term.
Johns Creek’s rankings didn’t happen overnight. They came after sustained effort. It’s unfair to take credit away from the current team that has delivered results. The residents also deserve credit—our schools, our educated population—all of this contributes to the city’s success.
Explain why the city needs continuity rather than new leadership.
Because what we’re doing is working. The city is thriving—safest city, best schools, strong finances, low taxes, and a budget surplus each year. We have the lowest tax rate in the county, ever. We’re completing major projects while maintaining fiscal discipline.
Change for the sake of change doesn’t make sense unless there’s a clear plan for improvement. We have a proven record of managing the city efficiently while keeping taxpayers’ interests at the forefront.
Ms. Gupta questioned the redesign of the Maker Space, suggesting usable space was reduced. Can you explain?
That’s a misunderstanding. Initially, we were retrofitting a 30-year-old building of about 13,000 square feet with a 40-foot ceiling. The retrofit cost came in very high due to age and code requirements. Instead, we went with a design-build approach—constructing a new 10,000-square-foot facility with a 24-foot ceiling, perfectly suited for robotics, at a turnkey cost of $2.4 million—$400,000 less than the retrofit.
We still retain the original building for recreation or other city uses. The land was already purchased, so it’s wrong to count that again. Think of it like expanding your deck—you don’t add the cost of your entire backyard. This approach saved taxpayer money while delivering a better facility.
Why is there a need for large mixed-use developments like The Medley?
Johns Creek doesn’t have a true downtown. Residents tell me they’d love a place to gather locally instead of driving to Alpharetta or Avalon. The Medley, Boardwalk, and Town Center create that sense of place—somewhere people can live, work, and play. It boosts property values and enhances quality of life. Our rankings reflect not just safety and schools but amenities, parks, trails, and recreation spaces.
Do you often go along with the mayor’s proposals?
If my votes align with the mayor’s, it’s because we share a vision for progress, fiscal conservatism, and efficiency. Every time I vote, I explain my reasoning publicly. There are instances where I’ve disagreed with the mayor too. But when good ideas come forward—like the Maker Space or Town Center—I support them because they benefit residents. The real question is, why wouldn’t others support what’s working?
Both you and your opponent are Indian American. What does that representation mean to you?
I represent all residents of Johns Creek. It so happens that I’m Indian American, and I’m proud of that heritage, but my duty is to everyone. That said, I deeply value diversity. One of the first things I worked on in 2022 was expanding the city’s cultural programming—adding Lunar New Year, Juneteenth, and Diwali celebrations. I personally helped secure sponsorships so these events wouldn’t burden taxpayers. Inclusion has always been a priority.
You mentioned you reached out to your opponent early in the race.
Yes. When I learned she was running, I reached out on July 16 to meet for coffee and hear her vision for Johns Creek. She declined, saying she was busy. I’m still waiting for that meeting. I believe open dialogue helps voters make informed decisions.
Your opponent has questioned the cost estimates for the proposed Performing Arts Center.
The claim that the construction data is outdated is incorrect. We hired a consulting company that provided recent estimates factoring in inflation and contingencies. The $60 million figure includes all of that.
The land wasn’t purchased specifically for the PAC—it’s city-owned property that became available. The site is about 5.7 acres, and the center would use roughly half. This proposal has been discussed for nearly a decade. The idea is to let voters decide through a bond referendum. If residents see value, they can vote yes. If not, we’ll move on. Either way, the decision rests with the community.
If re-elected, what are your top priorities?
Three things: public safety, smart growth, and quality of life.
- Public Safety: It’s the foundation of everything. Over the past four years, we’ve increased spending on public safety by about 36%. We’ll continue to ensure our police and fire departments have what they need.
- Smart, Vibrant Growth: The Town Center vision is critical for Johns Creek’s future. The Medley, Boston Scientific, and the Boardwalk are creating a live-work-play environment that attracts businesses and young families.
- Quality of Life: We’re enhancing connectivity with projects like the pedestrian tunnel under Highway 141 and expanding parks. We’re exploring smart traffic management using artificial intelligence and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication to ease peak-hour congestion. Traffic isn’t just a city issue—we’re working with neighboring cities and the Georgia DOT for regional coordination.
What’s your message for Johns Creek voters?
Johns Creek is already a model city. Our focus has always been on strengthening what works—safety, financial stability, and livability—while preparing for the future. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I believe steady, thoughtful leadership is what will keep Johns Creek thriving.
