Tucker manager unveils FY 2026 budget draft, flags stormwater fee and new marshal service

City Manager John presented the City of Tucker’s draft fiscal year 2026 budget and five‑year capital plan at the April 14 meeting of the Tucker Mayor and City Council, laying out recommended projects, personnel changes and a schedule for council review and final adoption.

The presentation said the draft is a “0‑based balanced budget” as required by the city charter and that the manager recommends refinements via workshops before a May 12 first reading and public hearing and final adoption in June. The draft links operating priorities to the capital improvement program and lists top revenue sources: property tax (about 25% of the general fund), occupational tax certificates and alcohol licenses (about 18%), insurance written in the city and franchise fees.

Why it matters: the draft allocates capital funding to projects residents have cited as priorities and surfaces policy choices — notably a proposed increase in the stormwater utility fee — that would affect residents and businesses if the council approves them.

Major projects and recommendations noted in the presentation included: - Tuckertown Green (town green opening this fall; ongoing construction and related stormwater/street work) - John’s Homestead and Lake Erin dam repair (ongoing construction; dam and stormwater safety work) - Tucker Northlake Trail (design underway; manager recommended $6 million toward right‑of‑way and matching funds; staff said federal funding could cover part of right‑of‑way but construction is much larger) - Road resurfacing program (continuing pavement management work and an approximate $4 million annual target) - Roundabouts at Idlewood Road/Fellowship and Saar Parkway (recommended to move forward)

Personnel and service requests the manager recommended advancing included a 4% merit pool plus a proposed 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment, additional Parks positions (out‑of‑school coordinator, aquatics coordinator), and a proposed Tucker Marshal service (to replace part‑time bailiffs with a chief marshal, deputy, full‑time marshal and part‑time marshals). The manager described the marshal proposal as limited to municipal court, city property security and ordinance enforcement (no traffic enforcement or 911 response). The projected net new cost for the marshal service was described as about $200,000 including startup costs and some offset by reduced outside security expenses.

Stormwater funding: the manager raised a proposed increase in the stormwater utility fee (current fee stated as $6 per month) to address deferred stormwater maintenance and to fund large repairs; staff noted prior deferred maintenance produced significant repair costs when corrugated pipes have collapsed. The manager said increases would affect residents and businesses and that the Council would consider the fee during the budget workshops and hearings.

Budget process and timing: the manager and mayor emphasized workshops and one‑on‑one briefings between now and May 12. The May 12 meeting is expected to contain the first reading and public hearing on the budget; the council could adopt in early June and set millage rate at the second June meeting.

Council response and next steps: councilmembers asked for a second budget workshop for in‑depth review of new items, including emergency preparedness plans and the marshal service proposal. Staff committed to provide more detailed line items, parking and right‑of‑way cost breakdowns and to protect matching funds on federally or grant‑funded projects.

Ending: the manager said the draft is balanced and emphasized that council priorities will refine the final plan before the public hearings in May and June.