Mableton holds public hearing on FY26 budget; council proposes tree fund, carries forward 6 Flags special-district revenue

Mableton — The Mableton City Council on June 11 heard a presentation on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and opened a public hearing before closing it later that night. Finance Director Karen Ellis told the council the proposed budget totals $19,211,093 and includes the general fund, a newly established tree fund, a hotel-motel fund, a 6 Flags Special Service District fund carried forward from Cobb County, and a capital projects fund.

Ellis said the budget was developed from priorities the council adopted in February and that the document will be finalized at the June 25 public hearing and adoption meeting. "The fiscal year 26 budget includes resources that will allow the city to provide a high level of general government services to the citizens of Mableton," she said during her presentation.

Why it matters: the proposal sets staffing and program priorities for Mableton’s second full year as an incorporated city and establishes new funds that will shape tree planting, special-district work in the 6 Flags area and capital acquisitions.

Key details from the presentation: Ellis described a balanced budget that draws on prior fund balance while maintaining a 33% reserve. The fiscal summary in the presentation lists the general fund at $16,026,093. The proposed general fund content included $9,148,000 for personnel and related benefits, $4,404,900 for operations and equipment, and $1,960,000 for capital improvements; a line for related debt service was also mentioned. The budget packet posted to the city website will show vehicle-related TAVT receipts listed under property taxes for auditing purposes, Ellis said.

Council members asked for placement details for several line items. On the tree fund — a new line item — Ellis said the council is proposing an initial allocation to seed the program; sustainability and beautification director Emily Croft told the council that designation as a "Tree City" is a recurring certification from the National Arbor Day Foundation and "helps to unlock additional grants, and tree programming from the Arbor Day Foundation." Croft and Ellis said that specific tree-planting projects will come back to council for approval once staff develops project proposals.

The budget also carries forward funds for the 6 Flags Special Service District. Ellis said the city received Cobb County figures for expected revenues and expenditures related to that fund and has included the district as a separate fund in the FY26 presentation. Other funds noted were a hotel-motel tax fund (presented conservatively) and a $750,000 placeholder in capital for future land acquisitions and equipment.

Public comments: During the public hearing, a Cobb County Master Gardener asked where tree plantings would occur; Croft replied that the fund will be project-driven and any expenditure will be brought to council before implementation. Other attendees spoke in favor of the city's priorities and thanked staff for the budget work.

Next steps: Ellis reminded the council that final adoption is scheduled for June 25. The council opened the public hearing during the meeting and later closed it with no adoption that evening.

Ending: The council directed staff to post the full budget document online and to return on June 25 for final consideration and adoption.