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County presents updated 'evergreen' strategic plan approach and 10-year financial view; FY2026 shows a baseline gap
Summary
County management and finance staff presented an updated 'evergreen' strategic plan and a 10-year financial model showing long-term capital commitments and a FY2026 budget gap that staff estimate at about $36.7 million before potential consent-order costs.
County management and finance staff presented an updated strategic plan and a 10-year financial outlook during the Nov. 5 meeting, and they briefed the board on the status of the FY2026 budget process.
Management said the county will adopt an "evergreen" approach for the strategic plan that keeps the core focus areas (health and human services; justice and safety; open and responsible government; arts and libraries; infrastructure and economic development) while updating operational metrics and KPIs annually. Strategy staff outlined accomplishments from 2021'25, including new clinics, a behavioral-health crisis center and library rehabilitations, and proposed tying departmental KPIs more closely to strategic objectives.
On finance, CFO Sharon Whitmore presented a multiyear financial model extended to 10 years. Key points included potential revenue impacts as tax-allocation district (TAD) increments expire, expected debt service related to a jail modernization and a planned South Fulton hospital, and projected expense pressure from consent-order compliance. For FY2026 staff presented a baseline resources gap of about $36.7 million when the manager's proposed base budget is compared with projected revenue using the existing 8.87 mills; staff said consent-order-related costs could add $30 million to $60 million, bringing the possible gap to $66.7 million—96.7 million.
Commissioners asked for scenario analysis and sensitivity testing: alternate assumptions about TAD returns, higher digest or collection factors, phased cost-of-living adjustments and possible use of reserves or underruns were discussed. Several commissioners asked staff to show the model under more pessimistic assumptions (for example, if TAD increments are not returned or renegotiations do not realize additional LOST revenue) and to provide annualized debt-service schedules tied to specific capital projects.
Staff said they would meet individually with commissioners before the formal adoption schedule: the proposed FY2026 budget will be submitted on or before Nov. 15, with a formal presentation later in November and public hearings in December ahead of final action in January.
