Dalton council adopts balanced 2026 budget using fund balance to bridge shortfall
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Summary
The Dalton City Council approved the proposed 2026 budget, which the city says is balanced under Georgia code. Officials plan to use $805,000 of fund balance to balance the general fund and do not anticipate a tax increase for next year.
The Dalton City Mayor and Council voted Nov. 17 to adopt the city’s proposed 2026 budget, city staff said. Cindy, presenting the plan, told council the general fund, capital projects and five special revenue funds are balanced as required by Georgia code.
Cindy said the general fund shows budgeted revenues and expenditures and that the city will use $805,000 of fund balance to balance the budget. She also noted an amendment to the 2024 SPLOST capital projects budget of $703,000 and a capital improvements projection of $40,000 in revenues and expenditures.
Councilmember Mach praised staff work on the budget and asked whether the city had taken a conservative approach to sales tax projections; the mayor responded that the council held sales-tax estimates flat for planning purposes. The mayor also stated, “The answer to that is no,” when asked whether an anticipated tax increase is expected next year.
A motion to approve the 2026 budget was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
City staff said the special revenue funds named in the presentation include hotel/motel, confiscated assets, economic development, Community Development Block Grant and the opioid settlement fund. The presentation noted the budgets were balanced in accordance with Georgia code.
The council did not set a new tax rate at the meeting; staff indicated revenues could come in higher than projected and reduce reliance on the fund balance.
