Statesboro council adopts $403.98 million fiscal 2026 budget, holds millage rate

The Statesboro City Council approved the city—s fiscal year 2026 budget on a unanimous voice vote, adopting a $403,984,585 spending plan while maintaining the current millage rate of 8.625.

City staff presented the budget during the meeting. "This budget, the total budget is $403,984,585," a staff member said, asking the council to adopt the plan. The presenter said the budget, as submitted, does not reflect an increase in the current millage but noted the council would consider millage later in the year.

The presentation explained the budget includes steps to replace revenues the city previously received from the fire district. Staff said the city will use an internal loan from an enterprise fund to the fire fund to make up shortfalls after the city—s fire-district funds cease at the end of June. City Manager Charles Penny said the fire-district agreement will cease June 30 and that the city and Bulloch County have agreed in principle to a mutual-aid arrangement; a formal mutual-aid agreement will be brought back to the council for approval.

Councilors approved the budget after a motion and second; the clerk recorded the vote as "Aye." No councilor comments or roll-call names were recorded in the meeting minutes provided.

Why it matters: the adopted budget establishes the city—s spending and service priorities for the next fiscal year and preserves the current property tax rate while adjusting internal financing to cover lost fire-district revenues. The council and staff flagged follow-up items, including final millage decisions and formal mutual-aid agreements with neighboring counties.

Looking ahead: staff said formal mutual-aid agreements and any subsequent millage actions will return to the council for consideration.