Chamblee staff propose flat $35.9 million 2026 general fund, plan sanitation fee increase

Budget Strategy Manager Daria Kriskus told the Chamblee City Council during a public budget hearing that the proposed 2026 budget holds the general fund flat at $35,900,000 and is based on a projected millage rate of 6.25 mills. "The result of all of that work is a flat general fund budget at $35,900,000 which is 0% increase over last year," Kriskus said.

Kriskus said the budget reflects efforts begun about six months ago to sustain recent growth while responding to inflationary pressures, including an anticipated health-insurance renewal that would have been a 31% increase; the council previously approved switching carriers, which Kriskus said produced "a pretty significant cost avoidance." She outlined strategic investments in renewable-energy infrastructure, technology for a real-time crime center, an additional investigator, and procurement of budgeting software to improve transparency and efficiency.

Capital and debt-service drivers include recent property purchases along Broad Street and a new public-works building; Kriskus said Fishbowl Park is set to begin construction next year. The budget also programs GEO bond proceeds — "we issued that bond earlier this year and received about $30,000,000 in revenue," she said — to fund design, engineering and construction for park and trail projects, including Huntley Hills Park, Nancy Creek West and Savoy Trails, and improvements at Wood Acres Park/South Stanley Park and Keswick Park.

Kriskus described special-revenue allocations such as budgeting 10% of hotel-motel (tourism) revenue for public-arts and FIFA World Cup–related events, and $1,200,000 in a multiple-grants fund (from a TIP grant and a SPLOST transfer) to begin right-of-way acquisition downtown. SPLOST-funded priorities listed include rail-trail matching funds, Broad Street streetscape and utility relocation, the Chamblee–Dunwoody road diet, police vehicle-equipment replacement, and 2026 paving projects.

On enterprise funds, Kriskus said solid-waste and stormwater funds will see a modest overall increase of about 5%. She highlighted a major stormwater inventory and assessment approved last month and said the 2026 budget includes $1.5 million in stormwater repair projects; she added that a portion of related debt service is paid from the stormwater fund.

To reduce pressure on the general fund, Kriskus proposed increases to sanitation fees. She said residential sanitation fees would rise by $70 per year — "I believe that will go up to 355" per year — and that the increase would be phased over three years; she also said she would double-check and confirm the residential total. Commercial sanitation fee adjustments are projected to yield about $30,000 annually.

The presentation concluded with Kriskus inviting questions; the presiding official thanked staff for six months of preparation, opened discussion to a council member introduced as Elmer (who said the coverage was sufficient), and then read public-comment rules. No members of the public spoke, there was no executive session, and the meeting adjourned by consent. The council is expected to consider adoption of the proposed 2026 budget at its meeting on Dec. 16, 2026, according to Kriskus's presentation.