City Manager Scruggs presented the city’s proposed FY2026 budget during an Oct. 27 public hearing, describing a $36.6 million comprehensive plan that the manager said positions Stonecrest for stability and continued service delivery while maintaining the current millage rate.

Key budget totals and program lines presented in the hearing included a general fund of approximately $19.1 million, a capital improvement program (CIP) of $12.7 million, a hotel‑motel fund of $1.2 million, a municipal court fund of $270,000 and an urban redevelopment fund of $790,000. The manager highlighted a recommended 5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees who were on payroll by Oct. 1, 2025, a proposed 100% employer contribution toward medical coverage and a proposed 75% employer contribution for other medical plan options.

Major CIP highlights the presentation listed were $3,000,000 for street resurfacing, $1,020,000 for sidewalks (design and construction lines shown in the packet), $1,800,000 for infrastructure, $3,800,000 in parks funding, and $2,700,000 for the city/town center. The manager noted a significant increase in insurance premium tax revenue and described the FY26 plan as “stabilizing” after several transitional budget seasons.

During the public hearing, resident commenter Dave Marcus asked whether economic development and public safety lines received sufficient increases, requested a detailed list of comp‑plan projects for FY25–FY26, and asked for more detail on the $2.7 million city center line. The city manager responded that staff will provide additional detail at a Nov. 10 work session that will include a deeper dive into line items and noted staff plans to post the budget presentation online and to pursue transparency tools that can show transactions and vendor status.

Council opened and later closed the public hearing; final budget adoption is scheduled following additional review. The manager said open items such as audit closeouts, discretionary grants and any required fund acceptances will be brought back to council for formal action as needed.