South Fulton manager presents $431 million FY26 budget that includes bond proceeds for public safety; council approves Riverlands land MOU

City Manager Sharon D. Subadan and Chief Financial Officer Althea Folor Bradley presented the City of South Fulton’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget at a work session on Aug. 12, describing a $431 million citywide plan that includes $96 million in proposed bond proceeds for public‑safety capital projects and preserves the city’s 2025 millage rate.

Topline numbers: the presentation shows a proposed citywide budget of $431,000,000, including a general fund operating budget of about $196,000,658 and a capital projects fund of roughly $191,111,349; bond proceeds for the police and fire buildings account for the largest single capital component. Bradley said the proposed budget is balanced, as required by Georgia law, and staff is not proposing a millage‑rate increase in 2025.

Key budget choices: Subadan said the FY26 budget reflects continuation of operations, address increases in health‑insurance costs, step/merit adjustments tied to performance reviews, and targeted new investments: funds for municipal court build‑out paid from reserves (not debt), a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment and step increases, playground accessibility projects using CDBG, Miracle League planning, sidewalk improvements, and funding to support turnout gear for Fire and additional street lighting in Public Works.

Public‑safety capital financing appears in budget plan: Bradley and Subadan said the $113 million total public‑safety program (police, fire, and training) is being financed in part with $96 million of anticipated bond proceeds plus use of reserves for the remainder. The CFO said 98% of the project spending is construction; roughly 2% is debt issuance and administrative cost. The proposal programs the first year of debt service into FY26 so the city’s budget would reflect upcoming payments if the council approves financing.

Other funds and fund structure: staff proposed moving capital into a separate capital improvement fund for better tracking and transparency; transfers out from the general fund to that CIP explain much of year‑over‑year movement. Bradley showed that recurring revenue sources remain heavily weighted toward property taxes and sales/use taxes, while large one‑time items reflect bond proceeds and planned reserves uses. Staff said planned reserves use would keep the city above its 25% fund‑balance policy after programmed draws.

Riverlands land MOU approved: During the evening regular meeting the council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Trust for Public Land for acquisition and development work tied to the Chattahoochee Riverlands project. The presentation materials and walk‑on resolution showed an estimated total project cost near $15 million; the city’s proposed commitment is $5 million to be allocated over five years, subject to final agreements and Council approvals. The council voted to approve the MOU as a walk‑on item.

Other actions: Council also passed, on second reading, an amended abandoned‑shopping‑cart ordinance to clarify when vendors must retrieve carts and to make the notification, retrieval‑plan and penalty structure clearer for enforcement.

Next steps and hearings: staff said two budget public hearings are scheduled for Aug. 26 (10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) with final adoption planned for Sept. 9; staff said the public will have the chance to review the budget in detail in the binder and online materials. Subadan urged councilmembers to review the line‑by‑line binders before the hearings.

Ending: Subadan and Bradley said the FY26 proposal seeks to preserve the city’s existing millage rate while positioning the city for long‑term capital improvements and enhanced services; council scheduled the public hearings that will be the formal venues for citizen comment and final budget decisions.