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Mableton adopts FY 2026 budget totaling $19.2 million
Summary
The Mableton City Council adopted its first official fiscal year 2026 budget on June 25, 2025, approving $19,211,093 in total revenues and expenditures and authorizing use of prior-year fund balance to balance the plan.
Mableton City Council on June 25 adopted an ordinance to approve the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, a plan that sets total revenues and expenditures at $19,211,093.
Finance Director Karen Ellis presented the budget to council and said the plan is balanced. “Just to clarify gentleman's question, the budget is a balanced budget, when you look to the detail of the revenues,” Ellis said during the public hearing presentation.
The budget package adopted on final reading includes: a General Fund of $16,026,093; a Tree Fund budgeted at $160,000; a 6 Flags special districts fund at $1,250,000; a Hotel/Motel Tax Fund at $375,000; and a Capital Projects Fund at $1,400,000. Ellis told council the city is using prior-year fund balance “for a one time only” measure to balance this year’s spending while maintaining adequate reserves.
The adoption followed a public hearing in which residents asked questions about service priorities and specific line items. Resident Fred Gartrell asked why the city had budgeted $150,000 for beautification/trees while some services he said were still outstanding when the city formed. “I’m just wondering why we’re putting trees ahead of putting those three things of services that you guys said this city would provide,” Gartrell said.
A commenter identified as Miss Wilson urged council to consider outstanding debts to Cobb County for public safety and DOT services before authorizing large spending or land purchases, warning of potential tax impacts.
City Manager (name not specified in the record) said staff and the finance director are available to meet with residents to review budget details and answer questions. “Our office is open every day,” the manager said, offering one-on-one appointments to walk through the line items.
Council moved to adopt the ordinance to “adopt the budget for the fiscal year 2026, to establish an effective date, to repeal conflicting ordinances and for other lawful purposes.” The motion was seconded and the ayes carried; the clerk declared the ordinance approved.
The council and city manager emphasized that the budget uses prior-year fund balance as a one-time balancing measure and that staff will continue to monitor reserves and revenue streams as the year progresses.
