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Mayor presents $47 million revenue projection, seeks staff additions and stormwater utility design funding in 2026 budget
Summary
Mayor Jenkins and finance director Stacy laid out a proposed fiscal 2026 budget projecting $47.1 million in general fund revenue, a 2.9% cost-of-living increase for staff and funding requests for three firefighters, a police captain and designs for a fourth fire station and stormwater utility fee.
Mayor Jenkins and Finance Director Stacy presented Georgetown’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget during the council meeting on May 12, outlining revenue projections, staffing requests and capital priorities.
The administration projects general fund revenue of about $47.1 million for 2026, a year-over-year increase the budget attributes largely to commercial and industrial payroll growth. General fund expenditures are proposed at roughly $48.6 million; the draft therefore includes a modest projected deficit that staff plan to manage with restricted balances and carryover adjustments. The administration proposed a 2.9% cost-of-living adjustment for city employees.
Key items in the proposed budget include: a $234,500 allocation to develop a stormwater utility-fee program; $250,000 for design work on a proposed fourth fire station; funding requests for nine new positions (including a police captain, two officers and three firefighters); and replacement of an aging ladder truck and other equipment. The mayor highlighted $1.4 million proposed from the general fund for stormwater-related expenditures and said aging stormwater infrastructure requires more proactive maintenance.
Why this matters: The budget would expand the city’s personnel and capital footprint as growth accelerates. Several proposals — notably the stormwater utility design and additional fire-station planning — are intended to reduce long-term pressure on the general fund by creating dedicated revenue or preparing for grant applications (for example, the mayor discussed potential SAFER grant eligibility tied to staffing increases).
Staffing and benefits: The budget would restore a civilian 911 coordinator position and add nine positions in the general fund. Stacy also proposed an updated sick-leave buyback program and certification incentives for police and fire personnel; council approval will be required for policy details.
Capital and carryover: The budget includes capital estimates such as architectural fees for fire-station planning, a new ladder truck financing estimate with an initial annual payment included, park improvements and sidewalk repairs. Staff noted roughly $1.42 million in carryover projects to be spent in the coming fiscal year.
Process and next steps: Stacy said the budget is based on historical trends and conservative assumptions; the council will consider the ordinance in the upcoming meeting cycle. The mayor and staff said they will return with additional details on ARPA-funded recurring expenses, impact-fee timing and other departmental requests.
