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Marietta Council adopts $428 million budget for fiscal 2025-26; no tax increase
Summary
City Council approved a $428,000,000 budget for fiscal 2025-26 that holds the millage rate steady, directs more than half of general fund dollars to public safety and adds two employees to bring downtown trash service in-house.
The Marietta City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance adopting the city’s fiscal 2025-26 budget totaling $428,000,000 and enacted tentative ad valorem tax levies for the coming year.
City finance and administration officials told the council the package does not raise the city’s property tax rate. ‘‘The general fund is now at $78,700,000,’’ Finance Director Bill Bruton said at the meeting, adding the general fund increase is about 2.4 percent, or roughly $1,820,000. Bruton said approximately 52 percent of the general fund pays for police and fire operations.
Council members and staff said the budget was the product of a prolonged review process. Bruton and other staff described measures intended to hold down costs amid inflation: no across-the-board tax increase, use of some reserves in the city’s self-insurance fund and operational changes intended to reduce future expenses.
Key details and context
- Total city budget: $428,000,000 for fiscal year beginning July 2025 and ending June 2026 (one-year adoption).
- General fund: $78,700,000; increase of 2.4% from prior year.
- Public safety share: Approximately 52% of the general fund is budgeted for police and fire.
- Taxes: Council approved the budget without raising the millage rate; staff said this continues a multi-year trend of not increasing taxes.
- Service changes: Council approved adding two city employees so the city can take over trash service for the downtown Central Business District from a private vendor; staff said the move will lower operating costs for that service.
- Staffing and pay: City leaders said recruiting and retention efforts, including salary adjustments and new step structures, helped fill vacancies across police, fire and public works. The city also raised its minimum starting salary to $17 per hour.
Why it matters
Public safety comprises a majority of general fund spending in the adopted plan, which signals the council’s priority on police and fire services while attempting to maintain other services without a tax increase. Staff and council members cautioned that using reserves and one‑time measures to hold the line on costs is not a permanent solution.
Vote and next steps
Council voted to approve the ordinance as presented; the motion carried on a voice vote. Staff said departments will begin implementing budget changes July 1, when the fiscal year begins.
Ending note
Council members and the mayor thanked the finance staff for months of work preparing the proposal and said the city will continue monitoring revenue and costs through the fiscal year.
